The whole concept of playground fundraising is an interesting one. You call in favours, recruit dedicated leaders, research government funding options, and work relentlessly to get the community involved. The varying levels of how you implement the fundraising plan is the largest asset in determining the success of such a project.
If one were to look at the "bigger picture", having a quality, safe, accessible play structure, is one of the 21st century's answers to modern child development. In the days of old, playing in a field or just exploring nature were status quo for the times, but today's urban kids demand more . Kids are growing up with technology, computers, video games, the NET! My 4 year old nephew can access the web and navigate a variety of sites, but my 60 year old father can't, or even more importantly, won't. The point quite simply is, today's kids live in a more modern environment. They need socially, physically and mentally challenging opportunities, ones that bring them back to their roots. One way of presenting these challenges, is a community play structure.
There are numerous examples of revenue generating ideas being used today. One that has recently caught the eye of individuals in the playground industry, is major involvement of Fortune 500 companies. An excellent example of this is Saturn Automobiles decision to philanthropically invest in North America's communities, by funding hundreds of community playground projects.
This massive project started in the United States with the leadership assistance of the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA). When the American projects were completed, Saturn Automobiles Canada decided to follow through on the American's lead.
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Industry Information Side Bar The A.S.T.M. Standards Committee and the CSA Standards Committee continue to search for harmony of the two different standards. Kevin McKenzie is the Project Manager for the CSA Safety Committee and had these comments. "There are many points to be covered in these meetings, but we are making progress, a report should be available in the fall. Bringing the standards together, or at least closer together, will produce benefits for the entire industry. One major point would be that manufacturers would be able to build to exact or very similar specs, which in the end will lead to keeping cost down". |
Saturn Canada installed 24 play structures across Canada in a 2 month period. One of the larger installations was on Center Island, an enchanting family attraction located off Toronto's mainland. A spokesperson for Saturn Canada had these comments. "Saturn Canada and our Retailers have been totally behind this national project. This was a very unique way of doing our part to build better Canadian communities. I really must commend the Saturn Retailers for "driving" this endeavor. The enthusiasm and sweat equity put into this project has proven to be a win win situation for all parties involved. We would also like to thank Kompan Inc, for their vast experience."
When asked if this was going to be a yearly endeavor, Saturn was unsure, as every year the projects are re-evaluated, and in the end, it is really in the hands of the Retailers. Needless to say, even if they did not do it again next year, this undertaking has made a significant impact on the industry.
Whether Saturn does it again or not is not the point. The point is the concept was accepted by a major corporation as way of giving back to the community. Every year millions of dollars are donated to charities and non-profit groups. Organizations like The Cancer Society, United Way, Sick Children's Hospital Foundations, etc. require a planned, organized approach to deliver on their mandate to improve the lives of people with-in thousands of communities in North America. Children's Play should be considered a "CAUSE", worthy of some support from the corporate community.
The Saturn project required the co-ordination of National, Regional & Local organizations. Utilizing this type of approach, when dealing with large multi-national corporations, requires a plan that does not consider the 'politics' of whats-in-it-for-me on a local level only. To be successful the interests and objectives must be considered from a national, or sometimes international perspective, as it relates to all parties involved (Community Groups, Government Bodies, Manufacuturers, Consultants etc.).
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"In California, funding for playgrounds has been established in a state wide tire recycling program. If more than 60% of the system to be installed incorporates recycled tire rubber, supplied and installed by a California Corporation, then the product qualifies for grants totaling $250,000. for 1997. School Districts apply for grants stating their source of materials and if approved, grants are issued. Spectraturf has completed 4 such projects this year." James M. Lampe |
"Company Sponsorship. Select a few of the larger companies in your area and propose the following: Ask them to adopt your playground as their community service project for the year. Recommend that they place virtually all their voluntary funds toward the project. This should be done in addition to the 'normal fundraising activities' Some companies prefer getting involved with a larger project, and not have to deal with thousands of requests." Anthony R. Trow |
"Playworld Systems has partnered with World' Finest Chocolates, one of the largest and most respected fundraising organizations in the country, to offer a unique, money-saving opportunity to raise funds for new community playgrounds. When a school or community uses a fundraiser from World's Finest Chocolates and purchases a playground from Playworld Systems they will receive a special discount of 5-10% Ron Derk |
In Canada, McDonalds Restaurant Children's Charitable Foundation recently started a program that would assist projects in Canada that focus on disabled children. The scope of the program is broad but could include disability issues as they relate to play structures. The program is not designed to be the primary funding source for the development of a general playground. The sole purpose of the program is to top up the funding on projects; i.e., a request to purchase "SOME" accessible safety surfacing or to add a piece of equipment that offers something to disabled kids exclusively. However, to qualify, the community must have, based on a percentage of their population, enough disabled children currently living in the area.
A problem has developed as word gets around about McDonalds offer. Many groups are trying to get in on the action and are coming out of the wood work in significant numbers, whether they can meet the qualifying criteria or not.
Here is a company that is trying to do something to contribute. They have established a game plan to offer qualified projects funding, but are being smothered by the volume of individual requests. According to the McDonalds Foundation, they are finding it difficult dealing with some of the appeals that they are getting for this program. While they are trying to work with our industry, they find the mechanics to be a challenge. The cities and organizations that are making the appeals for funding, cannot be blamed, as we can all be victims of disorganization. The Challenge is, can we, as an industry, effectively work together as a group, to gain the benefits? In the McDonalds case, simply bringing them qualified requests for funding may be enough, the first year. (Nudge)
Hind sight is always 20/20 and anyone could poke holes in a process like this. The point is, there are opportunities all around. Perhaps if the industry continues to strive for the 'cause' of how critical play is to the development of children, more opportunities will develop.
Seeing a play structure project through to the end is a daunting task. It requires massive co-operation from many individuals and organizations. Everyone who gets involved, regardless of their level of marketing or industry knowledge, should be commended. Creative fundraising initiatives are required to ensure a lack of funds does not prevent a community from providing children with appropriate play opportunities.
There are thousands of projects on-going at any one time. To quote the Nike slogan "Just Do It", or maybe in our case we should say "Just Organize It", there is always more strength in numbers, whether those numbers are private or public. CS
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Editorial Side Bar The Community of Bridgetown Nova Scotia, Canada, population 1,000, completes a $90,000.00 Project. |
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In the past, the playground at the Bridgetown Regional Elementary School had asphalt under the swings, slides, and climbers. After a serious accident in the spring of 1995, a committee was established to examine playground alternatives. The Playspace Committee made a recommendation to the local school board to remove all asphalt and dangerous equipment from the school's playground. The school board agreed with the committee's recommendation and the work was done before the opening of school in September 1995. That winter, Environmental Design and Management Ltd. (under the direction of Peter Klynstra) was hired to prepare a conceptual plan for all the school grounds. Staff, students and the general public were invited to information sessions and asked for their opinions. Five different plans were submitted to E.D.M., who combined the elements from each plan, to produce one design. The new design which was presented at a public meeting, included the removal of existing fences and erection of new one's, rerouting school buses, creating outdoor classrooms, establishing gardens, a parents area and an amphitheatre. It was estimated that the new play space project would require ninety thousand dollars to complete. A fundraising committee was created with the goal of raising thirty thousand dollars in the next three years. The remaining sixty thousand dollars would be acquired through grants and donations of goods, services and labour. The fundraising committee has been kept very busy since the project began. Bridgetown is a small community of just more than one thousand people. The committee has been careful not to conflict with any of the fundraising normally carried out by the elementary school. Fund-raisers over the last year have included talent and craft auctions, Christmas decoration's sales, "toonie" tea parties (for those of us who are not Canadian, a toonie is a $2.00 coin) and the sale of environmental cleaning products. Over one hundred and twenty-five people were approached to donate goods and services to the talent auction. The event was held at the local legion hall and donations included, fishing trips, home cooked dinner parties,perennials and building supplies. Everyone in attendance had a great time, and the evening was a financial success for the play space project. To encourage the involvement of students in the play space project, a contest was held at the elementary school in the fall of 1996. Students were asked to submit designs for the B.R.E.S. Christmas ornaments. One hundred and sixty-five entries were received from a student population of only three hundred and twenty-one. The winning design was cast in pewter, with the child's name and year included on the ornament. The resulting pewter Christmas ornaments were then sold as a fund-raiser for the play space. To date the Playspace Committee has received funding from the Nova Scotia Sport and Recreation Commission. The Bridgetown Lions Service Club has been instrumental in the erection of the new play structure. It is important to note that this project will benefit not only the elementary school, but the entire community. Much work has already been completed, including the use of former parking lots as basketball courts, the creation of three gardens, and the erection of a "Little Tikes" play structure. The play structure is cribbed with rubberized "KId Timbers" and surrounded by pea gravel to make it as safe as possible. The fundraising committee has taken a well-deserved summer break. However, work on the grounds will continuing throughout the summer, in an effort to have the play space ready for the opening of school in September 1997. |
The main aritcle was written by William Bishop, an Associate Writer with Cornerstones Magazine. Bob Powell, Director of Recreation for the town of Bridgetown Nova Scotia, Canada, wrote the editorial side bar. We would also like to thank Saturn Automobiles Canada and McDonalds for there contributions.