The Garden City Telegram
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Playground construction on target despite weather
Published 10/22/2009 in Local News : Area coverage
By RACHAEL GRAY
SCOTT CITY -- Julie Eikenberry and others on site constructing the Scott City Community Playground Wednesday had various ways to stay warm, or dry rather.
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Rachael Gray/Telegram Rick Kahl, a construction team captain, and Hanna Arkebauer, 19, braved the cold temperatures and rain Wednesday to help construct Scott City's community playground. Construction is a volunteer effort, and the $300,000 community-built playground is supposed to be completed Monday.
"There's no staying warm," said Eikenberry, grant writer and site captain for the project.
She said she and the other volunteers and workers wore latex gloves under cotton gloves to keep their fingers dry.
Crews worked in 40-degree temperatures, rain and wind that picked up speed late in the afternoon.
Other than Wednesday's cold temperatures and precipitation that kept the grounds muddy, Eikenberry said construction is going well.
The $300,000 playground, called Park on the Plains, is being built this week in Patton Park of Scott City.
The playground will be a 13,000 square-foot oasis for kids that will include a grain elevator, an old-fashioned car and a tractor, along with normal playground equipment like monkey bars and swings.
She reported all of the vertical posts have been set, and crews were beginning to frame the large objects.
Crews worked in about 15 borrowed tents Wednesday to keep the moisture off the patterns and keep figures dry as artists and volunteers worked.
"It's pretty amazing. We've got brave people out here. We'll be out here until 8:30 tonight," Eikenberry said Wednesday.
In addition to the latex glove trick, Eikenberry said, local churches and Western State Bank provided warm beverages and snacks to keep workers warm and energized.
Eikenberry reported construction is on schedule, and the crews are projected to finish the playground Monday.
Hanna Arkebauer, 19, volunteered Wednesday after hearing about the project through her church. Arkebauer stayed cheerful through her work with Rick Kahl, a construction team captain.
She said she didn't have any secrets to keeping warm on site other than, "just adding layers."
The playground being built in Patton Park with recycled plastic will be wheelchair accessible, Eikenberry said. She said donations are still welcome and appreciated.
For volunteer opportunities, go to the Scott City playground Web site and visit the contacts page. Kristin Duff, project coordinator, can be reached at (620) 872-7263 or mrsdwd20@yahoo.com.
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