On Thursday, November 8th, local children will work with designers to create their dream playground. Students from local public and private schools will share what they envision as an ideal area to play together, with their friends and their family. At the conclusion of the energy-packed sessions a detailed schematic will be created featuring their custom-designed playground. In 1993, the same bra
instorming sessions occurred with a group of children, now of which are grown, and many of whom have kids who utilize the playground located by the intersection of Virginia Avenue and 23rd Street. Thanks to the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and a strong Steering Committee, the dreams of kids twenty years ago became a reality in just five days of construction. One of the 1993 General Coordinators, Bruce Abernethy, was recently contacted by the City of Fort Pierce, which owns the land the playground is located on, and was informed that the structure needed to be replaced due to safety concerns from two decades of use. Knowing the need for a community gathering and play area, Bruce reached out to Joey Trefelner, who has agreed to volunteer as the 2013 General Coordinator. Joey developed a Steering Committee of talented individuals drawing from the original group of volunteers and reaching out to new families. Experienced 1993 volunteers Doug Davis, Allen Osteen, Monique Bruhn, Bud Holmes, Tom Perona, Melinda Gonano, and Bruce Abernethy have joined with Erik Melville, Sarah Pride, Stephen Neill, Tom Jefferson, Jennifer Trefelner, Mark Greene, and Holly Theuns to create the 2013 Steering Committee. Professional playground design company Leathers & Associates is guiding the group to assist in the massive community project of raising $200,000, coordinating hundreds of volunteers, and building the structure on the 20-year anniversary of the original playground. The first step in this endeavor is the “Design Day” which will be held November 8th. Andrews Episcopal School, Fairlawn Elementary, St. Anastasia Catholic School, and Frances K. Sweet Elementary students in grades Kindergarten to fifth grade will enthusiastically proclaim the details which will create an ideal play area. Designers will spend the afternoon creating the layout using ideas from the morning, and then unveil the drawing of the new playground in the evening to the kids and their parents.
“We are excited about creating the playground as a community effort, honoring those who built the current structure in 1993, and pulling from that support to create a new playground in 2013,” remarked Joey Trefelner. “The materials used in the new structure have a guaranteed lifespan of 30 years, making a place for many generations to enjoy. One of my goals is to include the entire community in this exciting endeavor.”
The older structure will be razed in the fall of 2013, with the new playground scheduled to be built shortly thereafter. Volunteers are needed in areas including fundraising, construction, artistic features, materials, tools, food, child care during the days of the build, and creating features for those with special needs. To volunteer, donate funds, or learn more information, please visit www.KidsCrossingPlayground.com or email [email protected].
