BROWNTOWN - The village of Browntown installed a new, modern play structure recently at Community Park, accomplishing the first goal of its six-phase Park Revitalization Project.
The playground unit, installed by Oregon company Play Focused Solutions, includes multiple slides and climbing features to encourage play imagination and physical activity for children.
Browntown raised about $30,000 in the past year from local volunteers and businesses to complete phase one of its project and will continue raising money over the next several years for more upgrades to the park.
"It's a beautiful park," said Carol Davis, Browntown village clerk-treasurer, "and it means a lot to the village to keep the children safe. We want to make sure all of our equipment is safe for the children, and in order to do that we need to refurbish all of it."
Davis said that when you consider how small the community of Browntown is, you can't help but be impressed with the local fundraising efforts for the Park Revitalization Project, which were led by park board member Tina Folgate. "I'm not sure how to put (our appreciation) into words - the board and the families of this community are very happy with everything (the donors) gave just so we could do this.
"The local people are always willing to help out and donate, and for a small community it's unbelievable what they can get done here."
Phase two will see more play structure repairs, including replacement of swing hardware and the installment of a tire swing and track ride; phase three will include repairs and painting of the shelter houses; phase four involves updates to the bathrooms; phase five will see landscaping and volleyball court repairs; and phase six will include repairs and repaving of the parking lots and basketball court.
More information about the project can be found at Play-focus.com/browntown.html.
The playground unit, installed by Oregon company Play Focused Solutions, includes multiple slides and climbing features to encourage play imagination and physical activity for children.
Browntown raised about $30,000 in the past year from local volunteers and businesses to complete phase one of its project and will continue raising money over the next several years for more upgrades to the park.
"It's a beautiful park," said Carol Davis, Browntown village clerk-treasurer, "and it means a lot to the village to keep the children safe. We want to make sure all of our equipment is safe for the children, and in order to do that we need to refurbish all of it."
Davis said that when you consider how small the community of Browntown is, you can't help but be impressed with the local fundraising efforts for the Park Revitalization Project, which were led by park board member Tina Folgate. "I'm not sure how to put (our appreciation) into words - the board and the families of this community are very happy with everything (the donors) gave just so we could do this.
"The local people are always willing to help out and donate, and for a small community it's unbelievable what they can get done here."
Phase two will see more play structure repairs, including replacement of swing hardware and the installment of a tire swing and track ride; phase three will include repairs and painting of the shelter houses; phase four involves updates to the bathrooms; phase five will see landscaping and volleyball court repairs; and phase six will include repairs and repaving of the parking lots and basketball court.
More information about the project can be found at Play-focus.com/browntown.html.