Project Playground still needs 800 volunteers in order for the playground to open early next month.

As of Wednesday, more than 500 volunteers have signed up and $80,000 has been raised for the new community-built playground, said Nikki Radford, a member of the 2008 Leadership Hopkinsville class, which is organizing the effort.

 “Several businesses and churches have signed up to work shifts together,” she said.

The playground’s construction begins April 30 and continues through May 4 with three shifts each day.

The first shift is 8 a.m. to noon, the second shift is 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. and the third shift is 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Anyone 10 to 13 years old can volunteer accompanied by their parent or guardian.

Anyone 18 years and younger will not be allowed to handle power tools.

Free child care will be provided on site for children 9 and under.

“We are still taking donations,” said Radford.

Donations can be mailed to Project Playground P.O. 743 Hopkinsville, KY 42241.

   “Tools are also still needed,” said David Coombs, a member of the leadership class.

He said tools will be returned to owners after May 4.

To loan tools for project playground, call Coombs at 839-8714.

There will be a Project Playground groundbreaking event at 5 p.m. Friday at the North Drive Recreation Complex.

To learn more about Project Playground call 881-8634.

Source:
KY New Era, April 17, 2008
By Melanie George, New Era staff writer