This weekend, an expected 200 volunteers will converge upon the back portion of the Tyner Recreation Center to provide something long-needed in the area: a public playground.
Due to a donation of all the playground equipment by a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit that focuses on providing play opportunities to children across the nation, all that is needed are hands to move equipment and help piece it together, said Gus Hernandez, local missions pastor for Silverdale Baptist Church, located nearby.
The all-day event is still in need of volunteers to help at any point throughout the morning or afternoon until the expected ribbon-cutting when installation is complete. Breakfast and lunch will be provided, Hernandez added.
"We will have leaders and main builders. It's just about having people to 'move this here' and 'put that there' sort of thing," he said. "It should be fun. Hopefully the weather will cooperate, but rain won't stop us."
Each year, Silverdale hosts a fall festival at the recreation center, which for many area children is the only supervised place available for them to play.
"It's great for the Tyner area," Hernandez said. "Getting the kids active and playing again is so important. They have fields and basketball [at the center], but the little ones, anyone really from ages 2 to 12, enjoy playgrounds. It's just a good family-friendly place."
Though he didn't have exact cost figures associated with the donated playground equipment, Hernandez estimated the cost was well into the thousands.
"Not everyone can afford a playground in their home, so it's always good to have that in a safe environment," he said.
To sign up to volunteer for the event, email contact@carolberz.com.