(NC)—Does your neighbourhood school, church, daycare centre, zoo or park need a children's playground? Getting a team of community volunteers to organize, plan and complete the project is a great idea for several reasons. For one, volunteer-built projects are valued at 2-3 times their actual cost; and working together gives individuals in the community a unique opportunity to collectively give something for everyone's benefit, a key element of a healthy and supportive community.
Here are some key things to consider:
• Timeline: On average, a community playground project will take anywhere from 6 to 8 months to complete—from design stage right up to final construction.
• Consult the children: It is crucial that children for whom the playground is being built have an opportunity to express their needs and expectations before designs are drawn up.
• Fundraising: Consider fiscal sponsorship under a pre-existing non-profit organization such as the Rotary Club or Kiwanis Club.
• Pull in local expertise: A well-organized, dynamic leadership group can organize and oversee fundraising, volunteer recruitment and obtain playground materials and design expertise.
• Potential Sites: Select one or two that have good visibility, shade, access to existing utilities and which can be easily supervised.
• Materials and Tools: Try to get as many things donated as possible.
• Volunteers: They don't have to be highly-skilled but as a group, they'll need to have various skills and much enthusiasm. And you'll need a small army!
• Celebrate: Throw a playground opening-day party and expect a lot of hugging, whooping, back-slapping and even a few tears.
For more information on how to stay healthy, and prevent disease and injury, visit www.canadian-health-network.ca, a collaboration of the Public Health Agency of Canada and major health organizations across Canada.
- News Canada
No comments:
Post a Comment