By AUBRIE GEORGE
Just as they had done almost 20 years ago, designers from Leathers and Associates stood in front of groups of Moorestown students last week as they put their imaginations to work.
Students at all of Moorestown’s lower elementary schools were engaged in brainstorming sessions last week, part of Leathers’ mission to design a new play structure at Fullerton Park from a community-built standpoint.
Students shouted out suggestions for what their ideal playground would be like.
It would include things like trampolines, a spider web shaped climbing structure, tire swings, “bumpy” slides, tube slides, winding slides, and rock climbing structures. Several students even mentioned they’d like to have a waterslide at the playground during summer months.
Designers took student suggestions and huddled to create an artists rendering for a new play structure that will replace the one that was torn down this spring due to safety hazards.
After offering their ideas, students were invited to a community celebration last weekend where an artist’s rendering of the new play structure was scheduled to be revealed.
The celebration at the Moorestown Recreation Center also included food, games, prizes, and activities for children as members of the community were offered a glimpse into what the new play structure at Fullerton Park might be like once it is built.
Once plans for the new play structure are in place, it will take a total of five days to construct and volunteers — children, parents, teachers, and all members of the community, will build it.
Leathers is the firm that led Moorestown residents in designing the original wooden structure at Fullerton Park in 1992.
Members of the Friends of Fullerton, the group that has been leading the effort to rebuild a unique play structure at Fullerton Park, recommended the township engage Leathers again because of the firm’s unique community-build approach and reputation for building one-of-a-kind play structures.
The township has designated $175,000 toward rebuilding a new play structure at the park as well as replacing fencing, surface material and picnic tables.
Any additional funds need to be raised by residents through campaigns or corporate sponsorships. FOF members have said they intend to raise enough to cover all project costs. The total price for the project is estimated at $200,000.
The township did not receive the $250,000, grant from the county’s Municipal Park Development Assistance Program that it applied for to fund the project. However, it will be among eight municipalities that will be considered with preferential attention for the grant program’s next round of funding.
For more information on The Friends of Fullerton, visit www.friendsoffullerton.com.
