There is nothing I love more than seeing a group of local parents join together in an effort to improve the lives of their children, and the Greenfield Playground Project is a perfect example. In 1960 a grassroots movement in Greenfield led to the consolidation of the rural school districts to the Saratoga City School District. With this change, a new school was built. The Greenfield Elementary School celebrated its fiftieth anniversary this year.
Twenty five years ago a playground was built, designed after elements from students’ pictures of what they wanted in a playground. The community came together to raise the funds to build the students’ vision. Under the shade of the tall pine and maple trees, and surrounded by gentle rolling hills, the playground has provided decades of enjoyment for the children in the school and the surrounding community. But what made this playground even more special was the determination, compassion and community spirit that so many individuals put forth 25 years ago. It was a great focal point for the school and community for many years, but now has major safety issues, making it potentially dangerous for the kids. Many parts of the playground have been dismantled due to bees and other critters nesting in the half buried tires. The wood frame is splintering and the design makes it difficult for teachers to supervise the children.
The group is faced with a budget of $150,000 which includes the final design of the playground and supervision of installation by Leathers & Associates and materials. Labor will be provided by community volunteers, saving the school more than $200,000. Fundraising for this project is dependent on corporate sponsorship, but will also include typical school fundraising projects and grant writing. The new playground, like the old playground, will be handicapped accessible. Installation is to start and be completed summer of 2013.
Here are some ways YOU can help them achieve their goal:
Volunteer: In the Spring of 2013, hundreds of community volunteers will come together to create something extraordinary. Sign up today and join the many others that will help to bring the vision to life.
Donate: The Greenfield Playground will only be possible because of generous contributions from people in the community like you. Visit them online or call to discuss your donation.
Tiles & Pickets: A limited number of decorative tiles and engraved pickets are available for purchase and will be permanently built into the design. Visit the website for details.
Tools: They need to borrow tools for the build week and guarantee that your tools will be returned to you in as good or better condition than they were received. That’s a Promise!
Sponsor a Component: The playground components are an integral part of what will make the new Greenfield Playground safe, challenging, unique, and accessible. Sponsoring a component is a great way to contribute to our goal. All component sponsors will receive permanent recognition on the donor wall/tower which will be a permanent fixture of the playground for life.
This Friday is another great way you can help out. On Jan. 11th from 6:30-9pm is the Rock Star Dance Party at Greenfield Elementary to benefit the Greenfield Playground Project. This event is geared towards elementary aged children and will be DJ’d by Greenfield’s own Kid DJ! Entrance is $5 per child and adults are free. They will have raffle prizes and concessions as well, fun for the whole family!
Check out their website here for ways you can help.
Saratoga Springs Edition 