Why does Hylen Souders Elementary and the Big Walnut community need a new playground?
The current playground  at Souders Elementary was built in 1986 and is 32 years old. It was built before the American Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility standards were enacted for playgrounds and does not allow ALL of Souders students the opportunity to play together.  Souders has a growing student body, too, which means longer wait times for equipment during recess.  There are not enough play elements for everyone.  In order to provide new, innovative and accessible options for all students, a new playground is necessary. The existing playground will remain in place and may  allow students a few more years of play.  The new playground structure(s) will be constructed next to the existing equipment, using current free space to create an accessible, inclusive and exciting area where all students can play together.
 

What is the fundraising goal and why is so much money needed?

The minimum fundraising goal is $100,000.  Our campaign's stretch goal is $135,000. Safe, inclusive and fully-accessible play equipment and structures are expensive.  These items are typically larger, requiring a play area that is larger and, in turn, more costly materials.  The cost of inclusive elements such as ramps, activity panels, merry-go-rounds, etc., range from $2,000-$10,000 each. The size and number of play elements that we are able to install is directly dependent on how much we can raise.  Additionally, softer, rubberized playground surfaces are also more expensive than wood chip and other surfaces.  If the fundraising goal is reached, we estimate that half of the funds raised will go toward equipment and half will be applied to shipping, installation costs, site preparation, permits and surfacing.

 

To keep up to date with fundraising progress, check out our News & Updates section.
 

What is the fundraising plan for the playground?
The Souders Community Playground project has partnered with Polar Engraving to provide beautifully engraved bricks and tiles to honor playground sponsors and fund the playground's construction.  These memorial bricks and tiles will be installed near the playground following its completion.  Polar Engraving will engrave the text, clip art, logo, symbol or emblem of the donor's choice on a custom brick or tile.  Click HERE to learn more about levels of giving and corresponding brick and tile details. 

To make a donation and see a virtual preview of your personalized brick or tile using Polar Engraving's "Brick Creator" tool, click HERE. 

 

The Souders Community Playground project also is holding community events in partnership with local restaurants (Chipotle, Firehouse Tavern, Fracasso’s Pizza, Max & Erma’s, Texas Roadhouse and more) and family entertainment businesses (Johnstown Skate-n-Swim, Fun in the Jungle, Rockin’ Jump). The details of each of these events differ slightly, but all result in a donation of proceeds back to the Souders Community Playground project. These are dining and entertainment opportunities you might already be planning and by taking advantage of them on a particular, advertised day, part of your spend is donated back to the playground project! To learn more about upcoming "Eat & Earn" and "Play & Earn" events, click HERE. 

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Additionally, the playground project committee is researching and selecting possible playground grants for which to apply, as these may be an additional source of funding. 

From whom is the playground project asking for donations?
The playground project committee is asking past, present and future Hylen Souders Elementary families and staff to come together to fundraise for this important effort, as well as local residents and businesses and organizations at the local, state or national level willing to help. We are also asking the Big Walnut Soccer Association and its families to support the project, as they will benefit from the new, improved playground as well.
 

The Big Walnut Soccer Association (BWSA) uses the current Hylen Souders Elementary playground. 

How will it support the current campaign?

The families of the BWSA use the Hylen Souders Elementary playground during soccer games and practices.  BWSA maintains all of the fields and mowing around the school, which means the school district does not have to pay to upkeep those acres.  The cost incurred by the BWSA for this is  approximately $18,000 annually. Over the past decade, BWSA has completed drainage projects to improve the fields and surrounding areas and invested more than $100,000 into expanding and maintaining the gravel parking lot on the south side of the school, which is used by school families.  The BWSA is sponsoring an engraved brick to be placed near the new playground and has committed $500 annually to the completed playground's maintenance fund.
 

Why is the playground being called a “community” playground?
The Big Walnut area has only one community playground aside from the elementary school playgrounds, so a new playground will serve as a community resource which can be used, appropriately and respectfully, by anyone in the community during non-school hours.
 

What is the playground fundraising and construction timeline?
The Playground Planning Committee was formed in September 2017 and has performed research, vetted possible playground vendors, planned the fundraising campaign and written guidelines for the scope and mission of the project. The committee will work to raise funds until the fundraising goal is achieved.  The committee's hope is to select a playground design and place an order by December 2018 with the intention to build the new playground in spring 2019. As with any major project, unexpected delays are possible; however, the committee is making its best effort to get the new playground installed as soon as possible...so our children can begin benefiting as soon as possible.

 

How Do I Make a Donation?

To make a donation ONLINE and see a virtual preview of your brick or tile (if applicable) using Polar Engraving's "Brick Creator" tool, click HERE now.

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To donate by MAIL, click HERE to view a printable order form.  Mail the completed form and a check made payable to Hylen Souders PTO (Memo: Playground Project), to: Hylen Souders Elementary, 4121 Miller Paul Rd., Galena, OH 43021.  If applicable, a playground project representative will contact you to complete your brick or tile order.

 

How Else Can I Help?

• Purchase an engraved brick or tile!  Click HERE to learn more or donate now!

• Patronize "East & Earn" and "Play & Earn" community events.  Click HERE for information about upcoming opportunities!

• Share our mission and fundraising options with EVERYONE you know--family, friends, businesses you frequent, etc.

• Let us know if you have a special skill that will help with fundraising, grant writing or playground design/install--we would love your help! Contact us by clicking HERE.

• When the time comes, help with the "community install" of the new playground. We will need a lot of manpower and womanpower!  Stay tuned to the News & Updates portion of this web site for details.

 

Will there be a grand opening ceremony?

YES!  The playground project will plan a fun family and community event to celebrate this major accomplishment! Details will be refined when the installation date is scheduled. All donors who provide a contact email will receive an invitation to the event.

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