4/18/2007 10:28:00 AM Volunteers will come together to build a new playground
Some of the organizing members of the volunteer Park Partners group show part of the playground equipment they will help replace in City Park. They are, in front, from left, Kim Muller and Margaret Viss. In the second row are Shannon Glenzinski, Sue Greiner and Julie Fryer.
By Lisa Brainard
The Park Partners group will be counting a lot on volunteers in the months to come, as events lead up to the building of a new playground in City Park in downtown Chatfield during October.
The group was just given the go-ahead from the Chatfield City Council earlier last week.
The whole project brought together the dreams of two people for the benefit of the community. Sue Greiner had approached Chatfield City Clerk Joel Young with the idea of building a playground downtown about one year ago. She cited the Soldiers Field project in Rochester as being similar.
Young urged her to contact Shannon Glenzinski, who was at that time heading up the town meeting initiative (TMI), a project through the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) which asks communities to look at their positive features and build upon them in a process called "asset-based community development." It also brings different groups of people together through volunteering and helps create new leaders.
Greiner, who laughed and smiled as she noted she's quite shy, said that in meeting Glenzinski, she found a voice for her playground project vision. Through the TMI it was given a lot of publicity. While TMI attendees selected a bike trail as their project, the playground idea had gained the momentum to carry on.
Volunteers
To date, volunteers have researched playground ideas and planned a design day at the Chatfield Schools. On that day, an architect worked with students to see what they would like in a playground, while sketching out a design that was premiered that evening in a public presentation.
Kim Muller laughed when it was noted she'd created words to a song that were specific to the event. She served as a school liaison in setting up design day, a role she'll continue.
"I want to keep the kids involved and have projects for them to do," said Muller.
Julie Fryer - hauling out a notebook - was praised as being very organized. She is handling public relations for the group, getting out information on event dates and more. She said Park Partners members would be happy to talk to groups in the community about the project.
Also, Park Partners is putting together an informational folder on the project, which will be available at the library and other locations. They are working on a Web site.
"Any of us are happy to talk," said Fryer.
The women thanked their husbands, who also are volunteering on the project.
"We need volunteers for everything," said Glenzinksi.
Currently they are looking for a person to coordinate volunteers. During the construction - or "build," as it's called - they are looking for people to coordinate childcare and to coordinate food needs.
Fryer stated, "If we have enough people, no one will need to do a lot of the work."
She noted she'd talked to a man who'd helped with the similar project in Rochester, who said it was such a good experience, he'd already signed up for the Chatfield build.
Muller had met someone in Zumbrota involved in a similar playground build. While there may be ups and downs, she said that person said it was one of the best experiences in their lives.
Fryer added, "This is short term. You're not committing to something for the rest of your life. We'll keep it fun."
The build itself will take place from Wednesday, Oct. 17, through Sunday, Oct. 21. Glenzinski noted that happens over the MEA weekend, when schools have extra days off.
The group meets every other Wednesday, with the next meeting on Wednesday, April 25, at 7 p.m., at the Thurber Building. One can check the city of Chatfield's Web site to check meeting dates at http://www.ci.chatfield.mn.us
Update
Glenzinski appeared before the city council for Park Partners on April 9, giving a PowerPoint presentation. She noted the group has heard some people are opposed to building the new playground in City Park for various reasons. All the volunteers stated they wished people could see and hear the presentation, saying it answered all concerns, such as the space needed and the style of playground equipment.
Muller stated, "I wish people could have seen the presentation. It hit all the myths."
They pointed out it should be available on the city of Chatfield's Web site, on the streaming video recording of the April 9 council meeting at http://chatfield.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=2
Glenzinski added, "We have a respect for the history, but can work this into the park, too."
The Park Partners are always coming up with ideas to raise funds. One is to sell sponsorships to each picket in a picket fence at the playground. For $25, a name will be routered on the picket. "We'll have a couple gentlemen with tools doing this," said Muller.
Fryer noted the pickets are limited in number and that around 40 have been sold already.
She also said that businesses could buy a "component" in the playground, such as a slide or swing. The company would then get its name on a plaque.
Glenzinski was excited about a promotion that will occur during Western Days in August, a "Best Seat in the House" package. While they are still working out details, it's expected to include comfortable seating with umbrella for the parade and two tickets to the play.
Regarding the overall project, Glenzinski said, "It came at a good time. We need something to concentrate on that's positive. Maybe it will change some other ideas, such as ideas on the school referendum."
Volunteering
Getting back to volunteering, Glenzinski noted that some people will say they don't have the time. But, somehow, you make the time and grow with the experience.
If a person is concerned about the need to bring kids to a meeting, Greiner said, "Bring the kids. We have them. Bring them."
Glenzinski spoke of moving back to Chatfield for this very type of hometown experience, which is tough to get in a larger city.
Muller said, "This is what small towns are about... You can do anything. You can make a difference... Something can come of it."
Also, they noted it's important to give back to a community. On another point, it's something that's remembered by the children. Muller recalled talking to Julie Amy, who said she could still remember when her father, Gerald LaPlante, helped work on the swimming pool.
Glenzinski stated, "It's important to give back... to set an example."
Reader Comments
Posted: Monday, June 18, 2007
Article comment by:
Shannon Glenzinski
I meant to write this a long time ago, Lisa. I wanted to thank you for the nice article about Park Partners awhile back. We greatly appreciate all the press coverage and great work!
Shannon Glenzinski
