The building and grand opening of the rather extensive playground structures in Bogue Falaya Park in Covington by parent volunteers in October of 1997 was an incredibly successful and long-awaited venture. Local meetings were held, and input was received from hundreds of people, young and old. All that planning went into the final design.
One day, the materials were delivered and the volunteers arrived...
(Click on the images to make them larger.)
They examined the plans and bolted things together...
Loads of sand were brought in...
Using front end loaders as well as wheelbarrows.
Stakes were staked, and dirt was raked...
And hopefully no saw horses were sawed.
Swing sets were set, railings were nailed...
Tire swings were weight-tested...
Then came the finishing touches...
And when all was done, it was time to get ready for the big grand opening...
Dozens of kids encircled the playground with a paper chain...
Then came the wait to open the gate...
Music was provided by a big brass band...
Finally the opening ceremonies began...
And the signal was given...
The crowd broke through the paper chains at the entrance...
Everyone rushed in to check it all out...
And the fun began.
Thousands of volunteers from throughout western St. Tammany Parish converged on Bogue Falaya Park in Covington the week of October 6 through 12, 1997, to build a playground designed by area children and their parents.
The 1500 square foot playground project was compared to an "old fashioned barn raising" by one Picayune news reporter. It was estimated to cost around $120,000.
Plans to build the playground were first laid in 1996, with input from hundreds of children who were asked what they wanted in a playground. The project was supervised by Leathers and Associates, a New York company that had put together more than 1500 similar projects across the country.
Playground features included a pirate ship, a rocket, and a wooden alligator. The facility also sported slides, a basketball play area, tunnels, swings and bridges.
Money for the venture came in part from collection jars placed in community businesses, donations from the city and a wide variety of other sources.
Project directors said that three thousand volunteers would be needed over the course of the build week, working three shifts a day. By the end of the project, over 2000 volunteers had actually taken part. While the number of volunteers showing up on Wednesday, the first day, was disappointing, as the word got out more volunteers began showing up. Excessive humidity and the heat were slowing the workers down, it was said.
Getting the lumber together was another challenge. Poole Lumber Company was able to get most of the specially specified type of lumber and deliver it in time, but some beams had to be brought in from a lumber mill in Cut Off. Wood working tools were gathered from companies and individuals far and wide, and returned afterwards.
Students from St. Scholastica, Mandeville High School, St. Paul's and Covington High joined in the effort. Some teenagers helped paint and some watched over the day care center that was provided parents who had come out to work but had with little children. A number of law enforcement officers also donated their time. Many of the people came to volunteer for "one day" wound up staying with the project for three or four days.
Mayor Keith Villere said the project was "like a little factory, and we are all part of the assembly line."
Everyone was encouraged by the feeling of the community coming together and working hard on a common project. Some participants were seen crying at the completion of the extensive project, overcome by the accomplishment and impressiveness of the work and the workers.
At the end of the construction, there was to be a celebration party with music by 4-Unplugged.
The grand opening ceremonies were overwhelming, with scores of parents and children eagerly awaiting to get inside. There was a paper chain all around the project, with young children holding it, ready and awaiting the opening of the gates.
There was a welcome, a short speech, and then the gates were opened, and hordes of children swarmed in, trying out every nook and cranny of the structure, swinging, sliding, jumping, running.
In a letter to the editor during the week, Doug Ellis and John Morvant, co-chairmen for the project, thanked the many merchants who helped raise funds through the placement of "donation jugs."
"Our gratitude also goes to the thousands of individuals in western St. Tammany Parish who contributed dollar bills and spare change to the jugs," their letter went on to say. "We are grateful for the generosity of all who made donations."
Part of the money was raised through the "purchase" of playground bricks and children's handtiles that went into the project.
Bogue Falaya Park History
Sign Dedication at Bogue Falaya Park
Bogue Falaya Park Pavilion
