Built by PECO, KaBOOM!, Natural Lands Trust, volunteers
By Lauren Parker- Gill, News Editor, The Times
Over 200 volunteers gathered at Patton Park in Coatesville Friday morning to assemble a new playground that was designed by children in August.
COATESVILLE – Over 200 volunteers from PECO, Natural Lands Trust, the community of Coatesville, and with the help of KaBOOM!, gathered Friday morning at Patton Park to begin building a “dream playground” that was designed by children in the area just two months ago.
In less than six hours, more than 20,000 pounds of concrete were mixed and poured, an enormous pile of playground mulch – enough to cover more than nine NBA basketball courts – was moved from the lower level of the park to the playground.
The colorful playground, which complies with the American Disabilities Act, includes multiple slides, monkey bars, swing sets and climbing equipment. In addition, picnic tables and park benches were built, the fencing around the tennis court was painted, the railings around the steps were sanded and also painted and fitness stations were installed.
Coatesville resident Courtney Allen volunteered his time by painting over the rusty fence around the tennis courts at the park.
“We cannot thank you all enough for what you’ve done for us and the families here in the city,” said Coatesville City Council vice president Marie Lawson, just before the ribbon cutting ceremony. “To everyone who lives around the park, we hope you enjoy this for many years to come.”
“I’d like to thank Kaboom, Natural Lands Trust, the city of Coatesville and PECO,” State Representative Harry Lewis (R-74) said. “Ladies and gentlemen, this is crazy good!”
“We’ve been working with city council, the Brandywine Health Foundation and other partners to put together a five year strategic plan for parks in the city of Coatesville,” said Molly Morrison, president of Natural Lands Trust. “This is more than a playground, this is building for the future of Coatesville.”
Michael Innocenzo, chief operating officer of PECO, thanked KaBOOM!, Natural Lands Trust, Coatesville’s City Council and volunteers for another successful build.
“One of the key things for us is having an opportunity to give back to the community, having an opportunity to build a safe and great place for the children to be.” Innocenzo said. “What’s cool is that we actually had the children design the place that they want to play – a place that’s fun and safe.”
This is the fifth playground KaBOOM! and Peco have built through their partnership since 2008 and the first they have built in Chester County. Together, they have built playgrounds in Montgomery, Delaware, Philadelphia and Bucks counties.
All 200 volunteers gathered in front of the new playground at Patton Park for the official ribbon cutting ceremony.
