NORWICH – Construction of new playground equipment in the Guernsey Memorial Library Park neared completion Friday afternoon and library officials expect the facility to be open to the public sometime this week.
Approximately 20 volunteers, including 13 Otselic Valley School District seniors, were on hand throughout the day Friday to assist with the construction, a project which has been “talked about for quite a few years,” according to Guernsey Memorial Library Custodian Brian Doliver.
The new playground was made possible through funds donated by the now-defunct Friends of Guernsey and the Norwich Lions Club, he added.
The 13 OV seniors, as part of their Participating in Government class, helped out by assembling the various pieces of the colorful playground apparatus and digging support holes, supervised by Parkitects Project Manager Karen Armstrong.
Armstrong said the playground, which includes “typical climbing and sliding components,” is better off for having been community-built.
“That’s always the best part of these kinds of builds, the community takes ownership and they take more pride in it,” she added.
Otselic Valley senior and Student Council President Doug Day agreed and said he and his fellow students were more than happy to take part.
“It’s always great to help serve the community and it was great to be able to help build this playground for all of the kids to have fun with,” stated Day. “It basically shows that our school is involved in the community and that even small schools can do big things.”
The OV Participating in Government class requires students to volunteer for 20 hours of community service, added Day, who reported this as the group’s first project of the year.
Morrisville State College Student/Family Education Advocate Erica Jones, who oversaw the transportation and volunteer effort of the 13 students, said the OV seniors are eager to help out in other community projects throughout the year. Those interested may contact her at (315) 653-7218.