Volunteers install new playground equipment at Prospect Point

Last week volunteers turned out in scores to install new playground equipment at Prospect Point Elementary School culminating a successful fund-raising campaign led by a school parent group. The Prospect Point Playground Project Committee, chaired by parent and local businesswoman Staci Wanichek, raised nearly $70,000 to meet the Phase One fund-raising goal to replace the schools aging playground equipment.

Phase One new equipment includes the Evos play system featuring arches, climbing bars, balance equipment, glider, nets, hanging ring climbers, pod stompers, swiggle sticks, and a gyro twister. Wanichek said the playground system is designed for fun exercise and helps children build upper body and core strength. The new playground area also features six swings, a curved rock wall, shade trees, trash receptacles and benches.

"Due to the overwhelming community volunteer support, the installation was done in record time," Committee member Cassie Rothstrom said. "This normally would take 8 to 10 hours and we completed everything in only four hours."

The group is now focusing on Phase Two of the fund drive to replace the schools kindergarten equipment. They hope to raise $27,000 and install new kindergarten equipment next spring.

A ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled Wednesday, August 29 at 10 a.m. at Prospect Point.

Special thanks to the following volunteers and businesses for their support in the successful installation efforts:

(" Note: Several parent and teacher volunteers joined in)

- American Lawn and Landscape (Ted Sams)

- Browns Construction

- Coca Cola

- Evergreen Labs

- Frito-Lay

- Heplers Big Cheese Pizza

- Image Smart

- Koncrete Industries

- Landscape Structures

- Loneys Harvest Foods

- Narum Concrete

- Pizza Hut

- Safeway

- Starbucks

- St. Mary Medical Center

- Subway

- Team Home Depot

- Total Office Concepts

- Walla Walla Builders Supply

- Walla Walla Environmental