Donated equipment completes park
With nearly $1 million in bond and grant money, University Park in Phoenix had no trouble building a pool and recreational areas. But when it came to playground equipment, the park found its pockets empty.
So Recreation Coordinator Sheila Stubler started looking for donations. Serendipitously, the employees of Lewisburg, Pa.-based Playworld Systems were having their annual sales meeting in Phoenix, and, as part of that meeting, they had planned to have a playground “community build,” using equipment donated by the company.
The playground, which features crawl-tubes, slides, monkey bars and climbing equipment, now can accommodate 98 children.
Residents supported the “community builders” as they assembled the new playground at the 73-year-old park. The vice mayor and members of the city council were on hand for a ceremonial ribbon cutting, and, throughout the day, parents and kids stood by and watched as the playground was built.
“Since the new playground was installed, we have seen an increase in attendance by about 50 percent,” Stubler says. “And it’s not just kids. Parents are now joining their kids at the playground. It’s become a place for families and has brought everyone closer together.”