Chandler Park to add playground equipment

Due to the hard work put forth by members and volunteers of the Chandler Park Playground Committee, children in Onaway are finding more things to do when visiting Chandler Park. Now, they will have even more to choose from due to the City Commission?s recent approval to purchase a ?Wiggle Wall Climber? as the newest addition to the playground equipment.

Playground Committee volunteer Melody McShane said it was not an easy decision for her to make regarding what new equipment to add, but she knew just who to go to in order to find out.

?I WAS at the school during the Veteran?s Day parade, and I asked Mr. Mix?s fifth grade students for some input,? said McShane. ?What is down there now is geared toward two- to five-year-old children, and I wanted to get something for older kids.?

The Wiggle Wall Climber is a freestanding piece of equipment that offers a challenge to children as they climb the moveable ladders. It was purchased with three year?s worth of fundraising dollars collected by the Playground Committee. The new equipment will not only provide fun to children at Chandler Park, it will get the young residents of Onaway physically active, which is a goal McShane and the Playground Committee had in mind when they began their work.

?We do ?Lunches with Santa? every year, gathering donations from area businesses, and giving the children the chance to have lunch with Santa Claus. And then we raffle off toys,? said McShane. ?We also have bake sale fundraisers, and we have received many donations from the area. People from out of state have even made donations ? people who come here in the summers to visit.?

MCSHANE SAID Chandler Park is getting a lot more use since the playground equipment began appearing. All of the current equipment is two to three years old and includes swings, bouncy riders, and a Playscape that has several slides.

?Ever since we put up the

equipment, I?ve seen people down there using it,? said McShane. ?I?ve noticed people even having birthday parties. We have a beautiful park down there.? The work of the Playground Committee will not end with the Wiggle Wall Climber, which is due to be in place the first part of spring.

?We would like to see some public restrooms placed near the park someday, but it?s a slow process,? said McShane. ?I?m now working on writing some grants to get more equipment. For next year, we?d like to get a funnel ball stand, and maybe a rock climber. I?m not giving up ? we need more things for Onaway children to do.?

Anyone interested in assisting the Playground Committee with the continued growth of Chandler Park can drop off donations at the Onaway City Hall. Mark your donation to the Chandler Park Playground Committee.