Come be a part of the

LTBK Community Playground Build

Community works together to build Heasley Park Playground

September 14, 2007 – On Saturday, September 29th, from 8:30 a.m. until 7:00 p.m, a group of community volunteers, along with staff from the City of Waterloo, will pull together to build a new playground at 500 Parkside Drive in Waterloo.

What started as an idea for a much-needed playground in the Lakeshore East, Sunnydale community, first got off the ground with a generous grant from Let Them Be Kids Canada, a foundation designed to help communities build partnerships and volunteerism through projects like community playgrounds.

Says, City of Waterloo Project Manager, Geri Quin, “The grant helped us kick off the project, but it’s through the support and partnership of the community, its volunteers and the many businesses who have kindly offered financial or personal assistance in building this playground, that this project is a reality.”

As well as local residents, Waterloo Fire Rescue, Waterloo Regional Police and the army engineers of the 48th Field Squadron of Engineers, 31 CER (the Eligins) have all donated their time to make this playground a reality. Local churches will be coming out, as well as volunteers from Cedarbrae and Sir Edgar Bauer Public School and WCI and St David High School. Many local businesses have also pitched in with building supplies, equipment, food, beverages as well money and personal time in helping with the build.

The day isn’t going to be all work and no play, though. Starting in the afternoon, participants and Lakeshore residents can play games, enjoy live music, and watch various events and displays. There will be face painting for the kids, a reading library organized by the Waterloo Public Library, with local politicians reading to children. And for those whose muscles tire during the work of building a playground, massage therapist students have donated their time to help out this day.

There’s even wheelbarrow races and a special tug-of-war game planned with local schools, churches, Waterloo and Regional Councillors , Regional Police and Waterloo Fire Rescue participating.

Benton Leong lives in the Lakeshore area and is a member of the Lakeshore East Neighbourhood Association. As one of the members of the Lakeshore East/Sunnydale neighbourhood committee building this playground, he’s been active in co-ordinating the games and events for this day. Benton says, “Today we are building a playground, but this is also a wonderful opportunity to celebrate community and what we as neighbours can do together. We’re turning this into a fun-filled day for all the families who live here.”

The build will wrap up with a community barbeque/potluck that reflects the wonderful cultural diversity of the neighbourhoods in this community. “We’ve asked the community to bring a dish to the potluck that represents their cultural heritage,” adds Benton.

Waterloo Mayor Brenda Halloran will be on hand to judge the many tasty treats brought to the table by community volunteers.

For further information:
Geri Quin, B.L.Arch.
Project Manager, Capitol Projects and Services (Landscape Architecture)
City of Waterloo
(519) 747-8638
gquin@city.waterloo.on.ca