April 10, 2007

Saturday (April 14, 2007)
is ‘Day of Assessment’
at Hannah Williams Playground;
Work Day is Saturday, April 28

WAYLAND – April 9, 2007 – This Saturday (the 14th) will be a day of assessment at the Hannah Williams Park and Playground – although some clean up and repair work can be done as well. “The first task is to evaluate the structure to see exactly what needs to be done and what materials are needed,” said Friends of the Hannah Williams Playground organizer Cliff Kolovson. “Then we’ll fix some of those things that can easily be done.”

Volunteers should report at 8:30 am on the 14th with rakes, shovels, tools, tape measures, note pads and pens. “We'll break into groups to inspect the apparatus, list things needed, outline strategies for repair and measure for materials,” he said. “So bringing pen and paper are as important as bringing rakes, gloves, hammers, and screw guns.”

Teams will evaluate each of the major sections of the play structure very carefully. Each group will list repairs and figure out what materials are needed and how much. The group will meet again in two weeks (April 28), after supplies are procured, to complete the work projects and bring the playground apparatus back to full operational capacity.

Also this Saturday, volunteers will tend to basic clean-up and fix-up chores where possible such as banging in nail heads (or cutting them off), removing loose wood pieces, and raking wood chips. Kolovson expects to be done by noon this weekend.

“This will not be nearly as intense as the effort seven years ago when the playground was closed for more than a year before Kolovson, Ted Fiust and Jim Boggs organized more than 300 volunteers and raised more than $28,000 to completely overhaul the playground and structure for new safety guidelines.

Back then, the ground surface was completely inadequate and needed to be dug out and replaced with wood chips, all the railings had to be raised nearly 9 inches, and spaces between side boards needed to be filled… all to comply with new Federal guidelines for play structures that were developed during the 20 years since the structure was built.

Kolovson has enlisted the backing and support of the Park & Rec. Dept., the Selectmen, the Cochituate Boy Scout Troop and dozens of local residents over the past weeks.

After all repairs are complete, the play structure will need a fresh coat of wood sealant to help protect it further. This needs to be done in warmer weather, so an effort will need to be mounted later this spring or summer. “So there are lots of opportunities to volunteer,” Kolovson noted. “And, of course, donations will be very much appreciated to help pay for materials as well as the on-site portable toilet,” he added. “This costs us $1,000 a year.”

Contributions should be made out to Friends of Hannah Williams Playground and mailed to 26 Garden Path, Wayland. For more information you can call Cliff Kolovson at 508-655-2957 or send email to comments@hannahwilliams.org.

State of the Hannah Williams Playground
Winter 2007

The Hannah Williams Park and Playground continues to be enjoyed by young and old – year-round, despite the weather. And, now six years from our major repair effort that saved the playground from destruction.... well, it needs some work. We're mouting a new effort both to organize repairs this spring and for new leadership... VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED... asap... Please call Cliff Kolovson, 508-655-2957 or email us.

WAYLAND, MA, Feb. 12, 2007 – Volunteers again are being sought to carry out maintenance repairs on the Hannah Williams Playground this spring. Lots of small items need fixing after more than six years of intense use since the major repair effort that saved the playground from the wrecking ball.

“We aimed for 5-7 years of extended life for this fabulous structure and now we expect it can last another 10 or even 20 years with proper care,” said organizer Cliff Kolovson. “But it’s time for some new energy, new people to step up and volunteer, and to take over where we left off.”

Kolovson is seeking volunteers to do work, and also people to lead the Friends of the Hannah Williams Playground and take it to a new level, maybe even formalize an organization that will evolve each year and organize parents of young children to maintain the playground.

Kolovson appeared before the Recreation Commission recently to report on the playground’s status and discuss the future of the play structure and the relationship between the town and the informal citizens group. The funds raised for the repairs in 2000 and 2001 are still being used for ongoing maintenance, wood sealant and to pay for the on-site toilet that is there for nine months of the year.

The Friends still has T-shirts and Whiz Rings available for sale. They will go on display at the Park and Recreation Dept. office in town hall. Of course, all purchases go directly into the fund to maintain the park and playground.

Recreation Department Director Nancy McShea and her staff have inspected all playgrounds in town recently and have a very clear list of items needing repair.

Volunteers interested in working and or leadership should contact Kolovson at 508-655-2957 or by email, comments@hannahwilliams.org.

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Since the “Friends” group will continue to make repairs and improvements and be responsible for wood sealant treatments, fundraising will continue. There are still T-shirts (long- and short-sleeved) and Whiz rings available. All contributions are tax deductible. Donations should be made to the Friends of the Hannah Williams Playground.

For more information, call The Kolovsons at 508-655-2957 or Sherri Way at 508-788-0191.

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