NEWS -- Week of Sept. 24-28, 2000
(all items in reverse chronological order)
Thursday, 9/28 -- Our planning continued today to evaluate the task of repairing the playground. This is in preparation for our special meeting next Tuesday, Oct. 3 with the Parks & Recreation Commission. (Note: the Oct. 10 meeting is the regularly schedule P&R monthly meeting).
A big article came out today on Page 1 of the Wayland Town Crier. Plus there was another letter to the editor -- this one from P&R Commission Chair Bill Bowhers. The Commission needs to hear from you -- by letter or in person next Tuesday -- that you want to see the playground repaired. They are not convinced. So, let's convince them.
Thank you to all the people who called tonight -- PLEASE -- tell all your friends to write a letter to the Commission by next Tuesday. Hand delivery it if necessary. They MUST hear from you.
We are seeking approval next Tuesday to begin work on the playground right away to make repairs and open the playground before Thanksgiving. You are key. Write, call, come to the meeting -- let it be know you want action.
Wednesday, 9/27 -- PM -- Today, the Parks & Recreation Commission agreed to a special meeting next Tuesday, October 3 to hear our plan to repair Hannah Williams Playground and reopen by Thanksgiving.
We are very encouraged by this willingness to hear our ideas in a timely manner. Being hopeful that we might get approval, we are immediately looking for funds and volunteers. PLEASE CALL OR USE THE SIGN UP PAGE.
We may begin work as early as Oct. 7 and work thru the Columbus Day weekend with whatever help we can get to clean up, clear out, measure and plan the many fix-up projects. We've identified a number of projects that could begin almost without any donations.
Wednesday, 9/27 -- Yesterday, the "Repair Hannah Williams Playground" met with Parks & Rec. Director Bill Kilcoyne at the playground to review a number of issues about the condition of the site. This very productive meeting resulted in a special meeting with the Commission --Tuesday Oct. 3-- to discuss our ideas and proposal to work on the playground.
Being hopeful that we might get approval to do some work, we need to begin thinking about fundraising and lining up volunteers. RIGHT AWAY!
Already we've identified a number of projects that could begin almost without any donations: removal of three key pieces of the playground that would be too expensive to make safe and removal of the ground cushioning (what's left) down to 12 inches to prepare for new material.
Our plan could have action beginning as early as Friday Oct. 6 for the Columbus Day weekend. Concurrently, we'd need volunteers to staff information tables around town that also would solicit donations and/or sell "bricks" or "boards" to raise money (names engraved on those items for donations).
Tuesday, 9/26 -- On Monday, the informal group to "Repair Hannah Williams Playground" met with Parks & Recreation Department staff to review the report received from Leathers & Associates, the company that directed the construction of the equipment. This report was done between last fall and this spring and made public at the Parks & Recreation Commission public hearing on 9/7.
Project
Manager Ted Fiust explaining detail from report
to Wayland Town Crier reporter Joe Sulman on Monday afternoon.
Project Manager Ted Fiust and Organizer Cliff Kolovson inspected the playground to begin to assess the repairs needed to resolve all conditions that were listed as unsafe. In most cases, the solution is to add small pieces of wood to close gaps where a child's head might become trapped. In a few cases, items will likely need to be removed or rebuilt.
Clearly one of the major needs is to remove the gravel/stone down 8-10 inches and place an appropriate material under and around the playground area to make a soft, safe cushion. It appears much of this work will need to be done by hand in and around the structure.
Kolovson and Fiust also reported to the Board of Selectmen on the groups organization and goals – to reopen the playground within 8 weeks.
The community is urged to a write letters to the Parks & Recreation Commission c/o Town Hall, and watch for news about how to help. Also... sign up to help us using our online contact form!
Watch for coverage in the Wayland Town Crier this Thursday!
Sunday, 9/24 -- This weekend, Sept. 22-24, we launched the effort to rally public support for repair and reopening of the Hannah Williams playground in Cochituate. Following the printing of a letter-to-the-editor of the Wayland Town Crier, we set out to let townspeople know the status of the playground and what they could do to block a most-certain demolition and urge the repair and reopening of it.
More than 500 flyers were distributed to people or posted in key locations. More than 100 signatures were gathered at events in town, and strong promises of support were made both for financial support and labor to help with repairs.
Everyone is urged to write a letter (see sample) to the Parks & Recreation Commission -- this is very, very important to have as many letters as possible to confirm there is strong interest on this issue.
A committee was pulled together quickly to study the town's report on the safety of the facility and needed repairs. This group will be seeking an on-site, guided tour of the propertly with town officials early this week, and will begin immediately to rally workers, materials and other support for the repair of the facility so it might reopen this fall.
Students at the high school will be spreading the word and garnering support to help repair the playground as part of required community service.
... and this is JUST the beginning.
Watch for more news and updates here.
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