August 12, 2004

Contact: Cathy Schwarz
321-3181
Jane Frech
787-2538

WASHINGTON PARK PLAYGROUND MEDIA ALERT

Springfield – Officials for the Springfield Parks Foundation will be at the Washington Park Playground today at 11 a.m. to accept a major donation from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois for its Washington Park Playground Renovation project. Mayor Tim Davlin and Springfield Park District officials will also be on hand. Blue Cross Blue Shield is generously donating all of the safety play surface for the new park. The safety play surface is a unique, recycled material simulating wood chips, but designed for more durability, safety and is handicapped accessible.

The Washington Park Playground renovation is a community effort to refurbish and expand one of our city’s treasures. The new park will include special educational learning areas, a natural terraced amphitheater, water play area and children’s garden. Activity zones will be grouped for appropriate age play including a special toddler play area. It will encompass nearly two acres including the current playground area and features a turn-of-the-century prairie style design with stone and iron fencing, period lighting, strolling bridge and drinking fountain gazebo.

To date, the renovation project has over $300,000 of the needed $450,000 committed from local businesses and individuals.

The Springfield Parks Foundation is a not-for-profit fund raising organization dedicated to enhancing the use, growth and preservation of the city’s community parks.

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