An update on how the Downing Street playground project has been progressing
by Claire Tierney
Scarlet Staff
As many students know, Project Playground is the initiative led by Katy Cleminson, Angelica Surra, Ali Canino, and Kat Hills, to revitalize the dilapidated playground on the corner of Downing and Florence Street.
The land the current playground is situation on is actually owned by Clark University. The group heading the project has been diligently working towards obtaining funding and support from Clark as well as the Main South community.
Their hard work is paying off, with the Project Playground planning on being completed this year.
Back in September, Project Playground gained over 700 signatures from Clark Students. When Student Council found themselves with a surplus of $70,000, Project playground began to campaign for funding. According to Katy Cleminson, a senior, Project Playground originally asked for $45,000 for Playground equipment, $5000 of which is intended for more costly, but also sustainable construction materials such as rubber. The group was awarded $39,100 from the Student Council’s surplus, as well as an additional $500 from the Student Leadership and Programming Office.
According to Cleminson, $30,000 will definitely be used for purchasing playground equipment. Short $5,000 of their projected budget, Project Playground is currently accepting donations in an effort to garner the rest of their funding.
Project Playground will be holding a general meeting for members of the Worcester community at the CDC Main South on February 8th, though students are welcome to attend.
Cleminson says, “At the community meeting, we will be finalizing the design, getting input from the parents of the children who will be using the playground.”
The goal is to make the playground actually useful to the community, as well as sustainable so that it may be used for multiple generations. Project Playground aims to get input from parents, students and teachers, “exploring if there is any programming we can build around it.”
Photo Courtesy of Project Playground.
Cleminson cites a babysitting club as a possibility for Clark students to become involved with the Playground after the project is completed. Cleminson says that the “challenge right now is making sure the community is really invested in it, because we know Clark students are. Because it’s for [the community].”
As far as moving forward with the project, Cleminson says, “There have been no major changes” to the plan. Project Playground “hasn’t had so many issues with acquiring the money, it’s more been with negotiations, how the money is spent. What to do as far as security, what do we need in terms of lighting, fencing, things like that.”
Right now, the tentative construction date is set for Saturday, April 28th,weather and other natural obstacles permitting. The ribbon cutting day is set for Saturday, May 5th.
Project Playground’s speedy construction plans rely heavily on volunteering from students as well as the community. Cleminson predicts volunteer positions will be filled quickly, saying “people should keep their eyes out” for opportunities to sign up.
She noted that “everyone can be involved on build day, but you’ll have to sign up early” adding, “we will have t shirts. It will be fun.”
For students looking to get involved, Project Playground is always looking for volunteers to put up flyers around the community.
They are also accepting donations towards making the playgrounds features more sustainable. For more information email Mike McKenna with the subject Project Playground.
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