Organizations and community members will continue working until Thursday.
East Lansing Rotary Club President James Bonfiglio said the club initially built a playground at Patriarche Park several years ago. In 2010, the Rotary Club decided to renovate the playground as a way to celebrate the club’s 50th Anniversary.
What started as a playground renovation turned into a bigger project. Members of the club planned to tear down the playground and start from scratch because of amounts of arsenic found in the treated lumber.
The project’s fundraising committee is still accepting donations. Playground Committee Chair John Saltzgaber said as of last Thursday, the committee is $115,000 short of their $570,000 goal.
Director of East Lansing Park, Recreation and Arts Staff Tim McCaffrey said the Rotary Club established an additional way to raise funds for the project.
The Rotary Club is selling customized brick pavers that will be placed in the entryway of the park. The bricks are available in two sizes: 4 inches by 8 inches for $100 and 8 inches by 8 inches for $150. Bricks can be purchased at a fundraising website through the city.
McCaffrey said during the community build, volunteers will install playground equipment and general contractors are currently in the process of constructing a rain garden, which includes an awning that redirects rain flow to water the plants.
Bonfiglio said anyone can show up to help with the project, however, registration is preferred. Volunteers can
“We have 340 individuals who have come and registered online, saying they’re interested in helping out,” Saltzgaber said.
Snacks and water will be provided for volunteers, but Saltzgaber recommends bringing gloves and a bottle for water.
