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Neglected Lot Becomes State of the Art Playground
ISSUE: Playground
BACKGROUND: There was no playground for the children attending
St. Bernard’s School in St. Paul, Minnesota.
PROJECT STEPS – Building
a playground
- Researching costs and feasibility of playground
- Garnering
public support from the neighborhood residents – residents
initially opposed it because they were fearful it would be a place
for gangs to congregate
- Public speaking before the parish
council to gain support
- Negotiating zoning changes on an
empty residential lot with city officials
- Raising $60,000
from area businesses for playground equipment and construction
- Sustaining
the Public Achievement effort over five years
RESULT: After five
years of public work, the Public Achievement teams at St. Bernard’s school
built the playground – providing a safe place for
young people to play for years to come. |
