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Website

www.browningcdc.org

So you’re going to improve your local playground. What’s your great idea?

We are working on improving a city park space and one of the big ideas we want to achieve is to expand on the existing playground. The design currently is very simple, a basic up and down really, and though I've seen many kids have a good time on it, we want to be able to offer them more. Another tower or two with fun elements to lend variety, especially a slide, will go far in allowing more kids to play safely and keeping them entertained. We also plan on adding a few separate climbing structures made from donated tires that we've already received an agreement on. Benches and tables are being added on a donation from the chamber and electric companies' recycled wire spools. We just need your help to get the main, and most fun, elements.

Which local nonprofit, school, or park district will you work with, and how will you work with them to choose a playground for the project?

I am an AmeriCorps VITSA working with the nonprofit Browning Community Development Corporation (BCDC). We have been working on plans to renew a city park next to our office and looking for funds to expand on the small playground the is a part of it.

How will you involve local volunteers in the playground project?

Volunteers will be involved through an AmeriCorps Campus Corps Summer Associate program that employs a few local community college students to do an elderly chore program and a summer camp for middle school students. The student in that camp with also help occasionally. Volunteers from around the country will be in town this summer and may lend a helping hand as well through the Visions Service Travel and Global Volunteers Programs.

Tell us about the kids that will be using the playground.

The playground is located just down the street from the elementary schools so many of those students come and play afterschool and during the summer. It is also along the border of a housing development project so many of the kids are are part of families even more economically disadvantaged than much of the reservation already is. The experiences I've had around these kids has been wonderful. They are always up for mixing in a bit of work and trying new things like helping us plant trees.

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