Wednesday, July 07, 1999
Money short, but enthusiasm high for Green Township park
BY LEW MOORES
The Cincinnati Enquirer
GREEN TOWNSHIP — They're still raising the money to make their playland a reality, but organizers of the project have set Sept. 1-5 as the days they hope hundreds of volunteers show up to build the playground at West Fork Park here.
Phil Berlier, chairman of the project, said they've raised between $25,000 and $30,000 of the $86,000 they'll need to pay for the playground, with more fund-raising events planned.
Most of the money is used to pay for materials to build the huge, 10,000-square-foot playground. Labor is provided by hundreds of volunteers who will be recruited to work on constructing the playground those five days in September.
Leathers & Associates, an Ithaca, N.Y., playground design firm, did the design for the playground, with the aid of schoolchildren from Green Township. A designer with the firm spent a day in February meeting with grade-schoolers, parents and residents of the community. The firm has designed similar playgrounds in Colerain Township and Mount Washington.
The project is being coordinated by the White Oak/Monfort Heights Kiwanis Founda tion. More fund-raisers are planned through the summer months, Mr. Berlier said, and corporate sponsors are being approached for help.
Township officials are enthusiastic about the project because it will mean two attractions for the park by next year. The German-American Citizens League is leading the efforts to reconstruct an historic log house in the park. The log house will become the German Heritage Museum.
The playground, which will be called West Fork Fantasy Park, will be behind the museum.
“This is how we've been able to get a lot of things done in Green Township,” said Trustee Bill Seitz. “These are public-private partnerships. But for the generosity of private clubs and individuals, we'd have to use all of our tax money for (projects like these). By leveraging those dollars through public-private efforts such as this, we're way ahead of the game.”
A pig roast has been scheduled for July 29 in Kuliga Park, and organizers are hoping for 300 people for that. Children are selling pickets to construct a picket fence around the Tot Lot that will become part of the playground, and T-shirts will be sold carrying the slogan, “I'll Make My Mark at West Fork Fantasy Park.”
They've also scheduled a community walk for Aug. 7 to raise funds. Volunteers to help construct the playground are being recruited. Mr. Berlier said they have about 300 participants so far.
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