Community Supports Replacement of Play Structure at the Commons
By Sophie Braccini
Photo Sophie Braccini
In a town where staff is scarce and the budget is tight, it's nice to know that there are numerous volunteers who are always ready to lend a hand for the greater good. When Moraga Parks and Recreation Director Jay Ingram reached out for help to dismantle the upper play-structure at the Moraga Commons, the Rotary Clubs of Moraga and Orinda, Boy Scout Troop 246, members of the new Rotaract Club at St. Mary's College, and friends all came to spend the first weekend of November doing just that.
Moraga Rotary will be sending the old play-structure parts to the Rotary Club of Montemorelos, a city in the state of Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, where they intend to rebuild the structure in a new park in that city.
As his Eagle Scout project Colton Jang, a member of Scout Troop 246, marked, diagrammed, and photographed the play-structure for reassembly, and directed the work of seven fellow Scouts who volunteered to help.
This was also the first community service project for the newly chartered Rotaract Club at St. Mary's College, represented by President Gabrielle Pavlova, Vice President Bianca Auble, Jessica Bhuller, and friend Daniel Buskeness. Rotaract is the affiliate of Rotary suitable for volunteers age 18-25, and many Rotaractors have served previously in Rotary's Interact Clubs in high school.
Ingram himself worked both days on the project, wielding jackhammer, crowbar, and socket wrench. Installation a new play structure is scheduled for December. "The new structure was selected by the Park and Recreation Commission," explained Ingram, "it is made of recycled plastic and steel. Contractor Justin Bundy will work with Rotarians for a community assist install." The project's total cost of $46,000 was funded by Roberti-Z'Berg-Harris (the Proposition 40 Urban Open Space and Recreation Grant program) and the Moraga Park Foundation.
Moraga Rotary will be sending the old play-structure parts to the Rotary Club of Montemorelos, a city in the state of Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, where they intend to rebuild the structure in a new park in that city.
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA