With the help of donations from Williamston Sunrise Rotary and Dart Foundation, the Friends of Williamston Parks (FOWP) has met its fundraising goal to build a new playground at Volunteers Community Park on the corner of School and Putnam streets in Williamston. Installation of the playground is tentatively set for late July and will take place as a community build, in which volunteers assemble the playground under a supervisor from the playground equipment company, Miracle.

“Local parks play an important role in the vitality and well-being of a community, and safe playgrounds are an important component,” said Emily L. Matthews, Dart Foundation Manager. “The Dart Foundation is pleased to help support the Friends of Williamston Parks and their efforts to improve this space for children and their parents.”

The playground will encompass an area approximately 85 by 50 feet next to the Trent Allen Memorial Basketball Courts. It features four elements for ages 2 and up offering opportunities to swing, slide, climb, hang, balance, spin and bounce. Costs to complete this project total $70,000.

According to incoming President Brian Tort, Williamston Sunrise Rotary will contribute a portion of its Jubilee Duck ticket sales to the playground project. “The new playground will make an immediate positive impact on Williamston's south side, bringing added quality of life, recreation and value to the surrounding neighborhoods,” he added.

According to Heather Galecka, president of Friends of Williamston Parks, “The Rotary pledge and Dart Foundation grant allowed us to meet our goal and make the playground a reality this summer. We are so grateful to them and the other community organizations, businesses and individuals who have contributed to this cause.”

The Friends of Williamston Parks began in 2015 to focus on park improvement efforts in the Williamston area. To volunteer for the playground community build, contact Heather Galecka at 517-285-7607 or williamstonparks@gmail.com. For more information about the Friends of Williamston Parks, visit www.williamstonparks.org.