Community Build Planned For New Eisenhower Playground Equipment
May 4, 2019 at 12:40 a.m.
By David [email protected]
A community build for the new playgrounds at Eisenhower is scheduled for May 17-18, rain or shine. Work will begin at 8 a.m. both days.
There will be one playground for younger students and one for the older kids, so “lots of people” are needed, said Oxana Mullins, PTO member.
Holly Hummitch, PTO member, said, “The play structure that had been there was the play structure that was put in when the building was built in ’90. So it definitely was outdated.”
After a safety inspection the structure was deemed unsafe.
“The playground equipment that we have presently, I had a couple of pieces removed at the beginning of this school year because they were unsafe,” Gensinger said. “We had a lot of water underneath our pea gravel, and it eroded away on some of the foundational pieces.”
He said the PTO “really did a nice job of informing the central office about the condition of our playground.”
The students still had some playground equipment this school year, but the main structures on the primary and secondary playgrounds were pulled.
Mullins said the students have swings and a couple of “climbing options,” but that’s been about all.
Kristine Norton, PTO member, said the school board was “awesome” in its response.
“They got it done right away,” she said.
Hummitch, who also is the Winona Lake Parks director, said the school corporation took advantage of a “great” opportunity similar to one the Winona Parks did a couple of years ago. “They were able to jump on that very quickly,” she said, and secure the purchase of playground equipment late last year.
“Basically, everything will be brand new,” Mullins said. “All of the old structures will be removed, as well as the pea gravel that we currently have, and so it will be replaced with new swings, new play structures. ... It will be a big deal.”
Hummitch said the pea gravel will be replaced with engineered wood fiber.
At the community build May 17-18, Mullins said the playground equipment will be on hand, as will school corporation maintenance staff. “And all the volunteers that can be here will be greatly appreciated,” she said.
Norton said they need at least 50 volunteers each day. Jennifer Metzger, PTO member, said experience is not necessary. Volunteers can help with the build, lunch and other jobs.
Mullins said the playground equipment company – Sinclair Recreation – will be telling people what to do. The company is out of Holland, Mich.
Volunteers can bring shovels, wheelbarrows and sunscreen, but Norton said supplies will be available.
Mullins said Wildman Business Group will be donating gloves, and several other companies have donated snacks and other items.
Mullins said a “huge thank-you needs to go out to Metzger Trucking because they covered the expense of transporting the playground equipment, and I know it saved a lot of money. It was probably the biggest donation.”
G&G Excavating & Hauling will do the excavation work and site preparation.
Norton said the playground equipment will be inspected once it goes in. “Safety is the No. 1 priority, obviously,” she said.
Norton said they’re really hoping for some groups to volunteer, and Mullins said they hope to finish the work on those two community build days.
“The kids are pumped,” Mullins said.
She said Gensinger has been wanting new playground equipment for several years. “I’m glad it’s working out before he goes,” she said.
“It’s been about 30 years, and we’re fortunate to get it approved to get a new playground,” Gensinger said.
A community build for the new playgrounds at Eisenhower is scheduled for May 17-18, rain or shine. Work will begin at 8 a.m. both days.
There will be one playground for younger students and one for the older kids, so “lots of people” are needed, said Oxana Mullins, PTO member.
Holly Hummitch, PTO member, said, “The play structure that had been there was the play structure that was put in when the building was built in ’90. So it definitely was outdated.”
After a safety inspection the structure was deemed unsafe.
“The playground equipment that we have presently, I had a couple of pieces removed at the beginning of this school year because they were unsafe,” Gensinger said. “We had a lot of water underneath our pea gravel, and it eroded away on some of the foundational pieces.”
He said the PTO “really did a nice job of informing the central office about the condition of our playground.”
The students still had some playground equipment this school year, but the main structures on the primary and secondary playgrounds were pulled.
Mullins said the students have swings and a couple of “climbing options,” but that’s been about all.
Kristine Norton, PTO member, said the school board was “awesome” in its response.
“They got it done right away,” she said.
Hummitch, who also is the Winona Lake Parks director, said the school corporation took advantage of a “great” opportunity similar to one the Winona Parks did a couple of years ago. “They were able to jump on that very quickly,” she said, and secure the purchase of playground equipment late last year.
“Basically, everything will be brand new,” Mullins said. “All of the old structures will be removed, as well as the pea gravel that we currently have, and so it will be replaced with new swings, new play structures. ... It will be a big deal.”
Hummitch said the pea gravel will be replaced with engineered wood fiber.
At the community build May 17-18, Mullins said the playground equipment will be on hand, as will school corporation maintenance staff. “And all the volunteers that can be here will be greatly appreciated,” she said.
Norton said they need at least 50 volunteers each day. Jennifer Metzger, PTO member, said experience is not necessary. Volunteers can help with the build, lunch and other jobs.
Mullins said the playground equipment company – Sinclair Recreation – will be telling people what to do. The company is out of Holland, Mich.
Volunteers can bring shovels, wheelbarrows and sunscreen, but Norton said supplies will be available.
Mullins said Wildman Business Group will be donating gloves, and several other companies have donated snacks and other items.
Mullins said a “huge thank-you needs to go out to Metzger Trucking because they covered the expense of transporting the playground equipment, and I know it saved a lot of money. It was probably the biggest donation.”
G&G Excavating & Hauling will do the excavation work and site preparation.
Norton said the playground equipment will be inspected once it goes in. “Safety is the No. 1 priority, obviously,” she said.
Norton said they’re really hoping for some groups to volunteer, and Mullins said they hope to finish the work on those two community build days.
“The kids are pumped,” Mullins said.
She said Gensinger has been wanting new playground equipment for several years. “I’m glad it’s working out before he goes,” she said.
“It’s been about 30 years, and we’re fortunate to get it approved to get a new playground,” Gensinger said.
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