THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 23, 1995 TAG: 9504210201
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 07 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SUSAN W. SMITH, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 57 lines
City workers have installed a drainage system and sidewalks at Chesapeake City Park in preparation for construction of the giant Fun Forest playground to be built by volunteers May 2-7.
The preparation will continue Thursday, as experienced construction workers level the site, drill and assemble forts and slides. Volunteers will start to build platforms, mix concrete and build saw horses.
``Fun Forest is still seeking volunteers to help build,'' said Mary C. Haddad, the project's general coordinator. ``And we've never met a volunteer we couldn't use.''
John Oliphant, the volunteer coordinator, said he had a list of 975 who had signed on to work. Handbooks will be mailed to those who sign up in advance. But there will also be a registration tent at the park. Plans are to have about 600 people work a shift with a total of 4,200 volunteers needed for completion.
Children under 10 years of age will not be allowed on the job site. La Petite Academy will provide child care for volunteers but only children who no longer wear diapers can be accommodated. Children, 10 to 13, can help but they must be accompanied by a parent. Those from 14 to 17 will not be allowed to use power tools, and workers over 18 can help as much as their skills and energy will allow.
``Wear work clothes and comfortable shoes,'' said Oliphant ``and plan to get dirty and have an incredible experience.''
``We would like to have teams of scouts, civic groups, churches, businesses and schools take on a section of the project,'' said Haddad. ``This will be a regional attraction and we want to encourage groups from Williamsburg to North Carolina to come help to be a part of the project and the park.''
According to Haddad, about 125,000 children are expected to visit the park annually. School buses are expected to come from all over the region to explore the trails, use the pavilion and story circle, picnic and just run and play.
Besides more volunteers, tools are also needed. Hammers, drills, screwdrivers, levels, saws, tape measures and brooms are needed for the work days.
Mike Fitchett, materials coordinator, estimated he still needed 38 extension cords, 36 levels, 70 pair of work gloves and 33 shovels.
A bar code will be affixed to each borrowed tool and the name of the user recorded to ensure that the loaned items are returned safely.
``We desperately need a bobcat, which is a front-end loader, to haul dirt and sand around the site,'' said Fitchett. ``And we haven't secured portable toilets yet. I'm sure they'll also be desperately needed.'' MEMO: To volunteer call John Oliphant, 482-3496, or call the Fun Forest
Hotline for more information, 552-2020.
by CNB