A new online fundraiser has been started to raise money for upgrades at East Twin Park.

The fundraising effort comes on the heels of Monday night’s City Council meeting when the council voted to unanimously turn down a proposed deal to sell East Twin Park to an development group. The development group had planned to build a new Dollar General store on the space had the deal been approved.

About 30 area residents voiced their opposition to the planned sale of the park. One of those opposed to the sale was Annastacia Iverson, 14. She came to the meeting to give voice to the city’s youth.

“I’ve talked to more than 50 youths and most do not want to lose this park,” she said at the meeting.

Iverson recommended the community hold fundraisers to raise money to improve the park. After the meeting, Iverson set up a GoFundMe page to raise $50,000 to revitalize East Twin Park.

Donors can access the GoFundMe page at www.gofundme.com/f/east-twin-park-is-saved-now-let039s-revitalize-it

As of press time, the fund totalled nearly $800.

Additionally, Bryan Spangler, owner of Spangler Automotive, challenged local donors and businesses in a Facebook post to match his $20,000 pledge to get new equipment for the park if the council decided not sell the park. Jeff MacRunnel, Spangler’s business partner, shared Spangler’s offer during the meeting.