It’s always nice when communities come together for a good cause, and even more heartwarming when that cause is meant to better the lives of children, our future. The WSCF, or Wright Stuff Community Foundation is helping to construct a One Step Ahead and Prime Time Preschool Playground near Norwood Public School.
The playground consisted of a fence and play structure that had been installed in a gravel and weed filled yard. Originally meant for physical and occupational therapy services, the yard was in no way strong enough to stand up to the daily use it sees. Despite the efforts of dedicated teachers over the last nine years, the yard featured an unruly and out of control elm tree and some hacked out foot paths.
Nikki McCluer used drives to raise money that would whip the playground into shape. She started by asking a Norwood resident to remove the pesky elm tree. This was followed by a huge overhaul that involved leveling a gravel hill that had been the cause of many a scraped knee, paving wide, smooth footpaths for bicycles and jogging, and laying a flooring of rubber mulch.
The rubber mulch was the finishing touch to making a playground that is beautiful and safe. A big improvement over the former gravel, the mulch is pretty to look at, soft and bouncy for easy running and playing, and shock absorbent for less skinned knees. This was perhaps the greatest obstacle faced in the renovation of the playground, but it was donated by the Telluride School District from an unused stash. Two construction companies volunteered their services in hauling the mulch to its new home. Although there are other playground surface options, McCluer worked hard to obtain rubber mulch flooring, as this would provide optimal safety for the children at play in the new playground.
Many volunteers gave of their time, with the Norwood football team doing the heavy lifting of moving the playground equipment, and companies giving the foundation great deals. The organizers are now using the cold winter weather to take a step back and enjoy the accomplishments before the finishing touches that will come in the spring. They plan to install a sandbox, benches, plants, and an outdoor art area.
Come spring, Nikki McCluer will be able to enjoy the knowledge that due to her hard work, the children of Norwood will have a safe place to play and explore.
