Kiwanis starts new playground project

Delphos, Ohio, Herald
http://www.delphosherald.com/2009/03/21/kiwanis-start-new-playground-project/

DELPHOS — The mission of Kiwanis International is “serving the children of the world.”

In fulfilling that mission, the members of the Delphos Kiwanis Club have committed themselves to “serving the children and the youth of our community.”

On Thursday, several members of the club gathered at Waterworks Park to unveil the artist’s rendition of Phase II of its Playground Equipment Project. The new system will replace the wooden playground structure currently in use at Waterworks Park.

A sign erected on the site with a fundraiser barometer will mark the efforts to raise the necessary capital for this project.

“This new system is specially designed for use by children ages 2-12 years old. It will not only provide a daily recreation center for our local young people but it is our hope that it will also provide needed activities for friends and relatives of families from the surrounding area and all over Ohio who annually visit and use the Waterworks Park shelter houses and facilities for reunions, picnics and summer gatherings,” member Mark Miller said.

The cost of this playground area — when completed — will be approximately $55,000. The barometer shows the club has already secured donations and pledges from the Arnold C. Dienstberger Foundation, the Delphos Lions Club, the Delphos Kiwanis Club and other private donors that total over $25,000.

In January 2007, the club began laying the foundation for an ongoing project where it could use the proceeds generated from the annual July 4th Community Celebration it sponsors to give back to the children of Delphos — a special gift that would be a legacy of the club’s commitment to youth of the community for years to come.

“With that vision in mind, we collaborated with the City of Delphos and the Parks and Recreation Department to address an ongoing need for repairing, upgrading and replacing playground equipment within the Delphos parks system,” Miller said. “We felt that by keeping these playground systems updated and rejuvenated, we could also provide an environment that would motivate our children to get outdoors, exercise their bodies and minds and encourage better health.”

The first project was to replace the wooden playground structure that had been in place at Stadium Park for nearly 33 years. Together with the Parks and Recreation Department and Anderson Recreation Design, a state-of-the-art playground system was developed. In less than 11 months from the date the group announced its intentions, more than $100,000 was raised and the system was built and dedicated in June 2008.

Because of the overwhelming generosity and support of the area businesses, foundations, civic organizations, service clubs, contractors, financial institutions and countless private donors, the Kiwanis not only paid for this new area but were able to set aside some additional seed money for other playground upgrades.

The Kiwanis know funds for the second project may not come as easily.

“Given the difficult economic times our citizens and local businesses are enduring and with other important fundraising activities going on in our community, we know funding this project is not going to be easy. Our club plans to try and secure the bulk of the funds needed for this project through foundation requests and other charitable organizations and we do not plan on placing any additional financial burden on the citizens and businesses of our community,” Miller added. “Regardless how difficult this task might be, our club is committed to secure the funding needed for this playground area and we hope to have it built and operating by June 30, 2010.

“So, to our friends and at the Delphos Parks and Recreation Department, to Anderson Recreation Design and Miracle Recreation Equipment Company, we once again will ask for your help and support in making this project a reality, so that the children of our community will continue to have reasons for wanting to get outside and run, climb, swing and slide their way to happier and healthier lives.”

Anyone who wishes to become a part of this project — whether it is through volunteered time, materials, resources, or financial support — can contact any Kiwanis member, the Parks & Recreation Department, or mail a tax-deductible contribution to: Delphos Kiwanis Playground Fund Phase II, P.O. Box 173, Delphos, OH 45833 (501 C 3 Tax Status - I.D. # 31-1072405).

Anyone who contributes to this program will be appropriately recognized in a permanent memorial erected on this site.