JSC TO MARK FIRST YEAR OF PLAYGROUND PROJECT

It’s not going to the typical birthday party at Township Park, but there will still be quite the celebration for the community.

The Junior Service Club’s Boundless Program turned one year old midway through April and a party is planned  from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. The event is open and free to the public. Face painting, balloon animals, a DJ, snacks and more will be part of the festivities. There is also a $500 check presentation from JSC to Township Park.

It was the weekend of April 19-20 that the Edwardsville and Glen Carbon communities teamed up to begin work on the Junior Service Club’s Boundless Playground. A month later, on May 19, the ribbon cutting officially opened the park.

“We kind of surprised ourselves,” Junior Service Club President Julie Smith said. “This was the first major project that we had ever undertaken in 75 years. It’s amazing that 85 women can come together and make the Boundless Playground possible. We couldn’t have made it without the community support, the individual support and the businesses. It is just kind of overwhelming to grasp that there was that much support in a community of this size.” 

More than 400 volunteers helped begin construction on the playground last year.

Once finished, the playground was one of a kind. It is 80 percent accessible to persons with disabilities and is the first public playground like that in the St. Louis area. 

Now, a year later, Smith and the JSC have received positive feedback about the project.

“We are getting feedback from families constantly on Facebook and our website. It’s even surprising how many families will travel just to go to that playground, specifically because it’s boundless. It has all been very positive,” Smith said.

Before and during construction, the Junior Service Club raised fund for three years.

With the success of the Boundless Park, the JSC is ready to move to its next project. 

The organization recently announced it will fund a new playground at Ray M. Schon Park in Glen Carbon. It will not be boundless. The club voted to fund up to $75,000 for the purchase of playground equipment.

Smith explained the timing was right for Schon Park to add a playground.

“At the time of the Boundless Program, Schon Park wasn’t developed. There really wasn’t a design plan in place,” Smith said. “Since the completion of the Boundless Playground, Schon Park has really started to become developed. That lends itself for a perfect fit for another playground.”

While the effort for the two playgrounds has been led by the Junior Service Club, the support of both communities was needed.

“They have all been very helpful and supportive in our fundraising efforts,” Smith said.

The Junior Service Club is a philanthropic, non-profit organization comprised of women dedicated to making a difference in the community by enriching the lives of others.

For more information about the Junior Service Club, visit www.edglenjuniorservice.org or visit its Facebook page.


Original article by The Intelligencer.