An army of hard-working volunteers got the Community Build portion of the Playground in the Park build done. Despite hot and humid weather on Monday and Tuesday, June 16 and 17, plus a rainy start on Wednesday, work for the Community Build portion of the Playground in the Park Re-Imagined has progressed very well. Just a few slides remained to be put in place and concrete to be poured into post holes.
Community volunteers planning on helping on Thursday and Friday were contacted to let them know that their services would not be required.
City of East Lansing and Contractors Still Have Work to Do
It is anticipated that there is 4 to 6 weeks before the new play space will be ready for the public. Items remaining to be completed:
- The remainder of the plantings for the rain garden
- Additional walkways leading to the play space
- More landscaping beds to be planted
- Benches to be installed around the perimeter of the play space
- Preparation of the entire site for the poured in place safety surface
- Installation of the entry plaza and pergola including the brick paved area
Community Can Still Help
The entry plaza has been designed to acknowledge sponsors on permanent signage as well as to provide opportunities for families and community members to support the park with a commemorative brick. The brick pavers come in two sizes: 8×4 for $100, and 8×8 for $150. “The plaza as designed has room for 800 pavers and it was our hope that the community would help us complete the funding by purchasing these bricks,” said Rotary Project Chairperson John Saltzgaber. “To date, we have sold nearly 200 pavers but we have a way to go. In order to get the pavers engraved and ready for installation we have set a deadline of July 15th for brick purchases.”
Those interested in purchasing a brick or two, or even to sponsor can visit the following website for more information: www.cityofeastlansing.com/playgroundinthepark
Community Caution
The play space will be fenced and locked for safety purposes, and to keep the project on schedule. City officials are requesting that people refrain from entering the play space until the formal dedication in early August.