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Frequently Asked QuestionsHow did this project get started ?Our mission is to create a community-built playground for the children of Slidell and surrounding areas. Construction of the 20,000 square foot playground will be accomplished with volunteers from the community using the old-fashioned "barn raising" method over a period of six days scheduled for April 9 - 14, 2002. The playground will be funded by the community through individual donations, playground component sales, and engraved brick sales in addition to donations from civic groups, foundations, businesses and corporations. The architectural firm of Leathers and Associates of Ithaca, New York, who has built over eighteen hundred community-built playgrounds worldwide, will supervise construction. The playground is designed to stimulate children's imagination, creativity, physical development and education. Included are unique features designed to accommodate and enhance experiences for physically challenged youngsters, including ramping areas, Braille signage and special surfaces to permit wheelchair accessibility throughout. The playground will appeal to children of all ages. The playground will educate children in the rich history and heritage of Slidell area. Themes for the different areas are shipbuilding and fishing, space program, brickyard and lumber industry. Some of the components included in the playground will be a space shuttle, an oil derrick spitting water into the sky, a ship and a tree house. The project provides a unique opportunity for all sectors of the community to come together for a common purpose and will be a demonstration and source of community pride. It will be an example of how children and adults can work together to make something positive happen that will benefit our community for years to come. The estimated cost of the playground is $300,000. Included in this estimate are funds for architectural fees, building materials and components, equipment purchase and rentals. Back to TopWhen will we build it?The dates of our construction have been scheduled for April 9 - 14, 2001. We will need 500 volunteers daily to build the dream. Back to TopWhere will we build the playground?The City of Slidell has donated land for the construction in the newly named Heritage Park located behind the train depot on Front Street. (See Playground Plans) Back to TopHow much will it cost?Our goal is to raise $300,000 to build the playground as designed. If funds fall short, we will reduce the building plans to accommodate the funding. Back to TopHow will we pay for it ?The playground will be fully funded through tax-deductible donations by individuals and businesses from within our community. Back to TopWhat special fund raising events will take place ?The block party pig roast that was held on September 29 was a great success thanks to the extra hard work of our chairperson Lori Aucoin. We raised over $4,000 as the first building block of our fundraisers. Click here to view event sponsors for "Pig Roast". November 11 - The Veterans Day Family Symphony Concert was a hit! Thank you Slidell Musical Arts Assoc. for allowing the proceeds to go to the playground. We raised $1,000 while enjoying the sounds from many local musicians. A special "Thank You" to these sponsors: Slidell Musical Arts Association - WalMart - CocaCola - Sam's Club - Morrison's - Vincent's Seafood - Old Towne Soda Shop December 15 - Breakfast with Santa at Cross Gates Athletic Club on Military Rd. was so much fun. The proceeds of ticket sales went directly to the playground, giving us $1,900 more towards our goal. A BIG thank you for Cross Gates continued support. December 31 - Our New Year's Eve Celebration was a great way to ring in the New Year and a great way to support the playground project. We thank everyone's participation including our Steering Committee and the energy of Martha Lewis and Marilyn England. Thanks to our chefs: Mike Pike, Pearl Williams, Christine Kennard, and Belinda Levy. And, thank you to our patrons who braved the weather to help support the playground and celebrate the New Year. February 23 - Playground Garage Sale was a fun way to raise money. Thanks to everyone who embraced the freezing early morning temps to help and to shop. Thanks to Leadership Slidell's manpower and the community's outpour of donated goods, we raised $1,200! A special thank you to these sponsors: Levy's Furniture - Starbucks - UHaul March 3, 2002- Spring Fling - Well it wasn't exactly Spring as the windchill factors hovered at 25 degrees!!! But, the Spring Fling, sponsored in part by Marshalls Department Store, was a success for many children who came out to support their playground and have fun at the same time. There were 16 make and take crafts, a dozen games, Jim Chester magic, great music by Witness, food, and 18 ft. slide, spacewalk, Aquavan, Kids Aerobics, face painting and so much more.March 15 - Silent auction to benefit the Slidell Community Playground. Location: Bonfouca Room on Front Street, Slidell. Time: 8-10pm. Items for auction include art, signed books, show/play tickets, New Orleans & Mississippi Weekend getaways, jewelry, sports tickets, collectibles. Refreshments and Cash Bar. Please contact Michele McCarter at 847-2583 or chelemc@yahoo.com if more information is needed. March 23, 2002 - Trike-A-Thon. Time: 10am, Check In: 10:30am race begins. On the playground site, behind the train depot in Heritage Park, past the boat launch on Bayou Lane Extension Rd. Dust off your bike/trike, tune your gears, come out and race/ride with us!!! Registration forms and fees due no later that March 16, 2002. Registration forms may be picked up from both Cross Gates Athletic Club locations or by emailing Brenna Faulk at bfaulk3@bellsouth.net. Back to TopWhere can I make contributions ?Please make
checks payable to: The Tammany Trace for the benefit of the Slidell Community Playground Project c/o Gina Beck 3090 E. Gause Blvd. PMB 630 Slidell, LA 70461 Back to TopWhat are the donor levels?If you know of any individual or business that might be interested in sponsoring our playground, please let us know. Donation Levels:
Back to TopAre contributions tax-deductible?Yes, all donations to the playground project are tax-deductible under 501c3 Tammany Trace Foundation for the benefit of the Slidell Community Playground Back to TopWho will build it ?Hundreds of parents, grandparents, friends, neighbors, and children will come together to plan and construct the playground. Back to TopHow long will it take ?The average community-built playground is constructed in 5 days. However, because our playground will be bigger than average, it will take 6 days. Back to TopIf I volunteer do I have to be there everyday ?No, the entire process is on a volunteer basis. ANY HELP YOU CAN OFFER WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. Back to TopI have no talents when it comes to construction, can I still help ?Of course you can. There will be jobs for people of all abilities. Everyone has talents, and we will find a way to use them. We may even teach you a few new skills! Look at the volunteer list. You can volunteer to cook, serve, entertain the children in daycare, as well as work on the construction site. Back to TopWhat can children do during construction ?There will be opportunities for children of all ages to assist with construction. Childcare activities will be provided for children who are potty-trained through 10 years old. There will be jugglers, magicians, etc. Plus, we will have a children's work area where they will help sand boards and soap screws (for easier installation). Back to Top |
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