Eagle Project: Shipley's Choice Tot-lot Renovation
Shipley's Choice would like to upgrade their "Tot Lot" park/playground to make it more sustainable and enjoyable for families. The goal is to build a park table and two brand new benches for the Tot Lot. Also to add new gravel that is spread out throughout the playground. The current equipment is treated wood which is more than 10 years old and is heavily weathered. Some sections have been worn by use and wood destroying insects and animals.
Pre-Planning Phase
It was important to talk to my community home owner association to make sure they approve of my methods for the project. I then went to the park and got an overview of what needed to be done and began thinking about the best way to fundraise. I decided door-to-door would be best. I also began reaching out to family to ask for their support and visited businesses to see if they could donate funds or materials. It was also important to create a sign to put in the park for families to understand the restoration project that would be coming.
Plan
Clean-up, powerwash, build second picnic table, rebuild 2 benches, rebuild new ladder for gym, purchase new chains for swing set, strengthen swing and gym beams, add playground mulch, replace roof support beams, and add a sandbox.
The mulch was graciously donated by Garman Brothers, Inc. in Crownsville Maryland. Most of the general equipment used was donated by Lowes in Severn Maryland. |
Work Processes
1. Survey existing playground: swing set, play gym, 1 picnic table, 2 benches, most of the wood is old and needs to be replaced. Mulch is old and needs to be replaced.
2. Fundraise: Raise money from the Shipley's Choice community and family as well as donations from businesses.
3. Communicate: Reach out to Troop to ask for help on designated days. Make a sign for the park to let community know the plans.
4. Clean-up: powerwash swing-set and play tower, remove all mulch, remove rotten wood.
5. Materials: Visit Lowes and Garmen Lumber for donations and materials. Garman Brothers, Inc., is a family owned saw mill in Crownsville since 1946.
6. Build and Re-build: build a second picnic table, rebuild 2 benches, rebuild new ladder for gym, strengthen swing and gym beams, add new playground mulch and mulch.
7. Reinforce: Strengthen the base of swing-set and play tower
8. Stain: Stain picnic tables, benches, play-tower and swing-set.
9. Finalize: Add new mulch and check everything
10. Community and Gratitude: Write thank you cards to the community, family and businesses and give them a summary of the project.
2. Fundraise: Raise money from the Shipley's Choice community and family as well as donations from businesses.
3. Communicate: Reach out to Troop to ask for help on designated days. Make a sign for the park to let community know the plans.
4. Clean-up: powerwash swing-set and play tower, remove all mulch, remove rotten wood.
5. Materials: Visit Lowes and Garmen Lumber for donations and materials. Garman Brothers, Inc., is a family owned saw mill in Crownsville since 1946.
6. Build and Re-build: build a second picnic table, rebuild 2 benches, rebuild new ladder for gym, strengthen swing and gym beams, add new playground mulch and mulch.
7. Reinforce: Strengthen the base of swing-set and play tower
8. Stain: Stain picnic tables, benches, play-tower and swing-set.
9. Finalize: Add new mulch and check everything
10. Community and Gratitude: Write thank you cards to the community, family and businesses and give them a summary of the project.
Expense Tracking
Using Excel, I was able to keep track of all the expenses and purchases made throughout the project.
General Timeline
Project Conclusion
My project was to revitalize my neighborhoods Tot-lot It was important to show the community that we didn't need to tear down the entire tot-lot rather we could invest in this project and help revitalize it. Along the way we were able to show how to make the part more sustainable. We reinforced the foundation of the swing-set and play tower, we replaced damaged boards on the play tower, we rebuilt and replaced the wood on the benches, we added a sandbox. We removed 2,500lbs of old mulch and replaced it with all natural wood mulch. I hope this new revitalized tot-lot will be more fun and enjoyable for my community and the next generation.
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