SVECares supports volunteer efforts
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The SVECares program recently approved a $2500 grant to both South Pittsburg’s “Playground Paradise” Park and the John Griswold Recreation Park in Dunlap.
The money for each park will be spent to make needed upgrades and improvements to these local recreation centers.
These parks provide a healthy, safe and inviting environment for the children and the young at heart in their communities and in a time when young people in rural areas constantly complain of “nothing to do” these recreation centers are meeting that need with “plenty to do.”
Steve Lamb, caretaker of the park in Dunlap says that just this summer alone they had around 300 youth involved in Dizzy Dean Baseball, 270 in youth softball and 13 adult church league softball teams. This fall there will be many more youth involved in soccer and Little League Football using the park. The playground areas and picnic pavilion are also popular for family use.
South Pittsburg’s Playground Paradise is just one part of the city’s Loyd Park which also features a public swimming pool and numerous ball fields. The playground is a “Community Built” playground with funds for the project being raised by a separate not-for-profit organization. Funds came from private individuals, businesses and local civic organizations.
The park which was designed and named with input from local school children from South Pittsburg Elementary and Richard Hardy Memorial School was built with the labor of community volunteers in 1999.
Since it’s opening in September of that year it has had constant use and is a favorite playtime destination for children from not only South Pittsburg but all over Marion County and the surrounding areas. With a picnic pavilion and lots of creative play structures, it is a popular location for school groups, birthday parties, family reunions and parents who want want to get the kids out of the house away from the television.
Both parks are governed by a board of directors made up of community leaders. Sequatchie County Mayor, Connie Easterly said that she tries to appoint one person from each of the different sports that use the facility so that the needs of each group are expressed.
Playground Paradise’s Board President, Ed Elliot and Ms. Easterly both stated that the greatest challenge in keeping up these valuable community recreation centers is making sure that the public takes good care of them and that they are not vandalized.
Easterly stated that parent volunteers help monitor the facilities to make sure that they are kept clean and in good repair. They also volunteer time to do maintenance such as painting and litter pick up.
Cooperation from local law enforcement in patrolling the parks also helps.
Although both parks are own by the local governments and receive a small amount for upkeep, with local budgets so tight, improvements to the parks must come from private donations. Both boards of directors are very appreciative of the donations made possible by the generosity of the members of SVEC. If you would like to make an individual donation you may contact Ed Elliott at 1317 Hamilton
Ave., South Pittsburg, TN 37380 for the Playground Paradise or Connie Easterly at P.O. Box 533, Dunlap, TN 37327 for the John Griswold Recreation Park in Dunlap.