VOLUNTEERS PULL TOGETHER TO RESTORE HISTORIC PLAYGROUND
Fans of Benicia’s Playground of Dreams in City Park are signing up to help restore the beloved facility at volunteer workdays planned September 15th and 16th.
“No construction skills are required – just compassion for the hundreds of children who enjoy this playground every year,” said Kristine Passalacqua,” Vice Chair of The Benicia Community Foundation/ Benicians Adopting Benicia.
Adults and children over the age of 12 who want to help with the volunteer workdays are encouraged to visit the foundation website, Beniciacf.org, and fill out the preregistration form and the liability waiver forms on the Projects tab. Then, come to City Park the morning of the 15th and/or 16th with gloves, hats, sturdy work shoes, and work clothing ready to get a little dirty on behalf of Benicia children.
“We will start Friday morning, 9:00 am (September 15th) by sanding and preparing the structure to be sealed,” said Passalacqua, one of the founders of Benicia Community Foundation. “Then, we will complete the job on Saturday, Starting at 8:00 am using sprayers and sealant provided by City Staff’s Parks and Community Service Department.”
“The workdays follow a prior weekend in May when the city replaced aging wood throughout the structure. The Playground of Dreams was built by volunteers in five days of Spring 1992 after thousands of Benicians young and old spent the previous year planning and fundraising for the build. The construction cost taxpayers the bargain price of $35,000. It was an historic occasion when this was built by our community, and scores of Benicians have told me of the strong connection their families still maintain with it.” says Dan Smith, a former City Councilmember who is campaigning to restore the facility.
The Benicia Community Foundation, Inc. looks forward to working together with Rotary, Lion’s, Kiwanis, Soroptimist, The City of Benicia, and our community on this wonderful project.
PLAYGROUND OF DREAMS SEALING PROJECT OUTLINE
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15TH
- 8:30 am registration – Sandpaper, sanding blocks, and shovels will be on sight.
- 9:00 am start/12:00 finish – Group photo, Create teams of 4 for each section of the playground, Shovel sand from around bases of structure that need sanding. Sand areas that could cause splinters or are rough.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16TH
- 7:30am registration
- 8:00 am start/2:00 finish – Group photo. Employees from the City will demonstrate the sealing process. Create teams of 4 for each section of the playground. First person shovels sand away from structure. Second person sweeps sand from structure. Third person sprays the wood with the sealant. Fourth person back rolls sealant into wood. Lunch provided at noon.
Suggested items to bring/wear – Work clothes, sturdy shoes, hat, sunglasses, work gloves. If possible, bring a shovel (with your name on it). We will provide the sandpaper and sanding blocks. Saturday the City will provide shovels, sealant, sprayers, rollers, safety glasses, disposable gloves. Bathrooms in the park will be open. First Aid will be the Fire Dept next-door.
Please print, sign, and date the playground of dreams waiver below and bring it with you the day of the event. Also, sign the electronic Benicia Community Foundation release of liability and photography release waiver form.
Volunteer sign-up for the Playground of Dreams Sealing Project