[StBernard] St. Bernard Community Playground Grand Opening May 18 at 4pm

[Westley Annis]

The St. Bernard Community Playground located in Torres Park, Chalmette, LA
will celebrate its 2nd grand opening on Sunday, May 18, 2008 at 4:00pm with
cake. ice cream and balloons. Radio Disney WBYU 1450AM will provide music
and prizes for this special event.
 
Repairs and restoration efforts are drawing to a close following major
damage caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and an arsonist's fire on January
1, 2008.
 
The playground held its first grand opening in 2003 thanks to the efforts of
approximately 1000 local community volunteers.  The recent re-build effort
April 8-13 drew over 1800 volunteers from around the world, the nation and
the metro area as well as many "second time" St. Bernard volunteers.
 
The newly restored "community built" playground and amphitheatre boasts
14,000 sq. ft. of interactive accessible play spaces including a fairy tale
castle, a tree house, boats, swings, a hurricane slide, a rock wall, local
artwork, over 1600 personalized pickets and a 250 seat amphitheatre with a
covered stage in a beautifully landscaped setting.
 
The grand opening is being organized by the Community Playground Project
thanks to the generosity of many local donors to the re-build effort. All
who participated in the re-build are especailly invited to attend the
opening ceremonies.
 
As we anticipate the offical opening of the playground please note the
following RULES:
 
NO FOOD, DRINKS OR ANIMALS ARE PERMITTED IN THE PLAYGROUND.
SKATEBOARDING IS PROHIBITED IN THE PLAYGROUND AND ON THE STAGE.
SMOKING IS PROHIBITED IN THE PLAYGROUND AND IN THE AMPHITHEATRE.
THE PLAYGROUND IS CLOSED BETWEEN DUSK AND DAWN EACH DAY.
 
Anyone witnessing a violation of these rules should notify the Recreation
Department during the work day and the Sheriff's Office at all other times.
(Rules and contact numbers will soon be posted at the playground entrance.)
 
Remember this playground belongs to our community and it must be cared for
and maintained by our community...not a department or agency!  Please pick
up trash in and around the area and remind anyone violating our simple rules
to respect the many hours of hard work by so many generous volunteers.
 
Polly Boudreaux
General Coordinator
554-7134