Editorial
Front Page - Friday, August 21, 2009
Prudential needs volunteers to help build children’s playground
David Laprad
Prudential is looking for a few good men. And women. And children 10 or older.
The task: build a spanking new playground at East Brainerd Elementary. The supplies have been purchased; the land has been surveyed; the snacks are on ice. All that’s needed are 300 additional volunteers willing to give up at least a morning, an afternoon or an evening during the week of August 25.
The project is part of BI-LO’s effort to combat childhood obesity by installing playgrounds across America. “Kids don’t go outside and play anymore,” says Ruby Coffee, a Prudential agent trying to recruit 700 volunteers for the project. “BI-LO is trying to get them off their duff and out in the world.”
The grocery store chain donated $50,000 toward the construction of the East Brainerd facility; the staff at Prudential’s East Brainerd office came up with the rest of the $100,000 budget through fundraising efforts.
“We adopted the school a few years ago,” Coffee says. “We purchase toys for children who otherwise wouldn’t get a Christmas present and school supplies for the kids that need them.” Prudential also refurbished the school’s playground in 2008, installing new swings and giving everything a fresh coat of paint.
Although the new playground will be built on a large swathe of school property, it will be open to the public. And traffic is expected to be heavy, as the recreational area will be a sight to behold.
Preliminary plans reveal a sprawling and feature-rich play zone that has more in common with outdoor adventuring than the humble slides and swing sets that graced U.S. playgrounds when Baby Boomers were growing up.
One of the more prominent features of the playground will be a castle that serves as the hub of a network of stairs, suspension bridges, monkey bars, ladders and observation platforms. Three slides will extend beyond this labyrinth, giving youngsters a quick exit during games of hide and seek or tag.
A chin up bar, two chain ladders, a rubber bridge, a fire pole, two balance beams and more will connect the main parts of the construction, giving kids the ability to come up with highly inventive games of follow the leader. As if these features didn’t make the playground appealing enough, kids will also have access to a rock wall, a tire swing, a truck and two internally linked phones, installed at opposite ends of the recreational area.
Perhaps the most eye-catching feature of the playground will be the pterosaur. Outfitted with two large nets for wings and a slide for a tongue, it will be based on the flying reptiles scientists say lived between 200 and 65 million years ago.
The only thing missing is a sandbox, which Coffee says would attract animals that are not extinct and, therefore, function as a dumping ground for things you wouldn’t want your child putting in his mouth.
The entire playground will be fenced in for safety and contain areas for parents to relax and keep an eye on their young ones.
“It’s going to be huge,” says Coffee. “I get excited thinking about it.”
Coffee says volunteers of all talents and skill levels are needed. If you can swing a hammer, operate a circular saw or grip a drill, she needs your help. If you’re under 14 or prefer to not operate a power tool, there’s still plenty for you to do, from sanding wood, to signing in volunteers, to serving food, to busing in people from a nearby parking lot, to running to Ace Hardware to pick up supplies, to bossing people around.
That’s right: Coffee says she needs several volunteers to lead crews and make sure things are done right.
Fortunately, the heavy lifting has already been done. Stein Construction Services is going to drill the holes for the posts and move the dirt and mulch. Another local company with a crane is going to set the top of the castle in place. And surveyors have already figured out where everything is going to go. All that’s left is to rally the troops and put the battle plan in motion.
Coffee says volunteers should bring the following items to the site: a hammer, a tape measure, a nail apron, a No. 2 pencil, safety goggles and work gloves. Brills and extension cords are also needed. And workers should come prepared for all kinds of weather. “We’ll only stop work for severe weather, such as lightning or a tornado warning. Volunteers might need a raincoat or sunscreen,” says Coffee.
In addition, volunteers should wear comfortable old clothes and suitable footwear, such as boots and tennis shoes, but not clogs, sandals or bare feet. In addition, Coffee is advising against wearing jewelry, but says workers should don some kind of headgear.
For parents or guardians who want to help but have small children under 10 to care for, Prudential will provide childcare, although kids must be potty-trained.
To volunteer, call one of the following Prudential staff this weekend: Coffee, 423-364-2411; Martha Miller, 423-605-7211; Dell Kyzer, 423-505-3766; Lynda Perry, 423-847-5109; Sherri Pratt, 423-760-6062; or Rita Holder, 423-432-2454. East Brainerd Elementary is located at 7453 East Brainerd Road.
Set up is schedule to take place Monday, while the actual construction of the playground will begin Tuesday. Help is especially needed on Wednesday through Friday. “We will take any time you can give us for the building of this unique playground,” Coffee says.
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