Et cetera : AmeriCorps NCCC members help PTO revitalize Shellsburg playground area

PTO volunteers and AmeriCorps members helped improve the Shellburg play area.

NCCC members begin assembling the new play set pieces.

Novastarr Nelson, of Oak 3, paints a number in a four square.

The repainted U.S. map again brightly shines on the Shellsburg Elementary pavement.

Tim Koster, an STL, unloads dirt that was removed to set the new playground equipment.

Various NCCC members paint a four square and a path on the pavement.

By: Rebecca Bigler, Marquesha Barrett and Christian Taylor-Williams

For two weekends, members from various NCCC teams joined together to revitalize the playground at Shellsburg Elementary School in Shellsburg, Iowa. Their main goal was to build new playground equipment and improve the aesthetics of the playground to promote a fun atmosphere for the students.

On July 27, 16 members assisted with putting together the new playground structures. Maple 7 drove an hour in from Iowa City to volunteer their services, and joined members of Oak 4, Cedar 3, and Support Team Leaders (STL). Together, they were able to assemble a swing set and start the assembling of the ring race set. 27 two foot holes were dug, over 100 square feet of wood chips were spread and over 600 pounds of cement was mixed and poured. After an eight hour work day, members prepared themselves for the return on that following day.

On July 28, 7 members went back out to finish up what was started, working for five hours. This work consisted of finishing the assembling of the rings for the ring race, setting stepping stools into the ground with cement mix, spreading wood chips and setting a springing balance walk into the ground. They used another 100 pounds of concrete mix.

On August 3, 15 members spent four and a half hours repainting the concrete ground bordering the playground and school. They repainted a colorful United States map, a path and multiple games of four corners. In addition, some of the members painted cute little caterpillar designs and other small paintings.

With the playground revitalization complete, members gained a new experience and students have new ways to play when they return to school after summer break. The hope is that these projects help liven up the playground area and promote children’s creativity and fun.