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Logo design by Gunner Smith Age:11
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Soldotna Community
Playground
It takes a community to build a great playground!
Our community
playground will build a sense of accomplishment, help form new
friendships, foster a sense of community pride and enable
generations to connect.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why community-built? As hundreds of
communities across the country will testify, the benefits of
community-built go well beyond the enormous cost savings. The
community-built experience offers a rare opportunity for
individuals to collectively give something back to their
community, resulting in a beautifully crafted, unique
expression of shared pride. Building community means bridging
gaps. We recommend that a committee reflect the makeup of the
community. It is easier to buy playground equipment than
complete a community-built playground. The process is the most
important product, and involving children is essential.
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Where will the playground be? The playground will be at
Soldotna Creek Park where the existing playground is.
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How much do playgrounds cost? Project budgets range from $50,000
to $150,000 or more. We give you all the information necessary to put
together a plan that includes everything needed to complete the playground
from design to opening day. We’re confident we candesign and build a
structure that fits your budget. Completed projects are valued at two to
three times their actual cost because they are built by volunteers. Don’t
let budget numbers stop you — more than half of our projects raise more
than they expect. We’ll help you plan your budget and fundraising efforts. |
What materials are used to build the playgrounds?
The flexibility of our designs allows us to adapt to various situations.
Communities have some choices in the materials they use. For structural
support, communities may choose either pressure-treated lumber or
structural plastic. Plastic composite lumber, with the look and feel of
wood, is used for decking and handrails. Balusters may be built with
composite lumber or metal pipe if visibility is an issue. All hardware has
high-quality exterior coatings. Safety surfacing meets ASTM standards for
impact attenuation and accessibility. When using wood, we apply a
high-quality nontoxic sealer during construction. |
How big does the playground site need to be?
The area needed will depend on the scope of your project and ranges from
about 1,200 square feet (30’x 40’) to20,000 square feet (100’ x 200’). The
average is about 10,000 square feet. We can design a play structure to fit
almost any site. If you are unsure of the suitability of your site, please
call us. |
How long does it take from Design Day to construction?
Timelines vary from project to project; however, on average, projects take
6 to 8 months from Design Day to construction. You will need time to
recruit volunteers, fundraise, and secure the necessary playground
materials. We have had projects do this in as little as 3 months! The key
to getting off to a good start is a well-organized, dedicated committee. |
How many volunteers do I need?
Our projects have a wide range of sizes and detail, so it is impossible to
determine exact numbers needed for a successful build. The goal is to
involve as many people as possible. Your designer can give you a better
idea of the numbers required. |
How can a structure built by volunteers be safe and professional?
Leathers & Associates has been assisting communities with volunteer-built
projects for 35 years. Our construction system has been proven over time
to be both safe and volunteer friendly. Our professional designers,
project managers, and construction consultants are all experienced in the
uniqueness of the community-built process and are Certified Playground
Safety Inspectors. Additionally, our volunteer- built structures are
designed and constructed with strict adherence to all applicable
nationally recognized playground safety standards and guidelines.
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Can a Leathers’ project be coordinated by a parks & recreation
department?
Absolutely! Many parks & rec directors and employees have acted as general
coordinators for our projects. We encourage committees to include a parks
& rec employee on the committee. We can provide references upon request. |
Do your playgrounds meet the latest safety standards and accessibility
guidelines?
Yes! Our designs conform with the Consumer Product Safety Commission
guidelines, ASTM International standards, and Americans with Disabilities
Act Accessibility Guidelines that are in place at the time your playground
is built. |
How long will the playground last?
With today’s materials and proper maintenance, Leathers playgrounds can
easily last 25 years. |
How much maintenance is involved?
All playgrounds require maintenance, and as with any playground,
maintaining the safety surfacing is usually the largest and most important
undertaking. We offer a variety of services to assist communities. For
more information please contact our office. |
How much money should be set aside for a maintenance fund?
$5,000 to $10,000 is usually a good start. Ideally, there is enough in the
maintenance account so that the interest on the account pays for the
primary yearly maintenance items (sealing and groundcover). |
Are donations to our playground fund tax deductible?
We recommend that our projects seek fiscal sponsorship (umbrella under a
preexisting nonprofit such as Rotary, Kiwanis, etc.) or obtain independent
501(c)3 status. For additional information please contact our office.
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We are concerned that your designs are too "dense" and
lend themselves to vandalism. Must we have this kind of layout?
The design of your playground is up to the children and parents of your
community. Our designs are all “one of a kind,” taking on virtually any
size and shape to fit site requirements and design criteria voiced by the
community. If requested, an open, viewable approach can be taken. In
addition, we sometimes use pipe balusters, which are virtually see-through
in our fort/castle type structures, further opening up our designs and
reducing the amount of maintenance.
In over 30 years of building with more than 1,600 playgrounds under our
belt, we have learned that a playground built by the community is well
cared for! Playgrounds that children design and teenagers, parents,
seniors, and the community build create a strong sense of community pride
and ownership, which naturally leads to better upkeep and fewer instances
of vandalism.
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Copyright
2008 Soldotna Community Playground |
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