By Linda Bird, Playground by the Sound Steering Committee
Pepsi is giving away over a million dollars every month to fund projects that have a positive impact on the community. “Playground by the Sound” in University Place has two projects competing for grants in December. Anyone anywhere in the USA can vote in this Internet competition. The top 10 projects in each category, each month are eligible for funding.
The Playground by the Sound project in the 25K category will help purchase FiberForce, 100% post-?consumer recycled plastic lumber. Another Playground project in the 5K category will help pay engineering fees. To cast your vote for the “Playground by the Sound” go to www.playgroundbythesound.org. Sign up for your “daily reminder to vote” and your daily “text reminder”.
“Playground By The Sound” is a community-?wide effort of citizens, business, and families to build an ADA accessible playground on the Chambers Creek Properties a Pierce County owned 900+ acre regional recreation area in University Place, WA. They enlisted the help of elementary school children in University Place and Tacoma to design this playground. The 12,000 sq. ft. playground incorporates many of the unique historical and natural elements of our Puget Sound region. Before they can build this unique play space they need funds to purchase building materials.
Childhood obesity in Pierce County is increasing at an alarming rate. A well designed, accessible-?for-?everyone playground will provide exciting and physically challenging activities that children and their families need to maintain healthy lifestyles and reduce obesity. Over 20% of all families in Pierce County have children under the age of 12 with special needs (U.S. Census 2000).
The Committee is enlisting the help of volunteer labor to build the playground, which will be supervised by Leathers and Associates, a national playground design firm. For information on how you can volunteer or send a contribution go to www.playgroundbythesound.org.