Sheldon raises money for playground equipment

Nevada Daily Mail

After years of using dilapidated playground equipment, Sheldon children may have safe, new equipment to play on.

In May a child was hurt while playing on the merry-go-round, which was immediately removed. The other two pieces of playground equipment are scheduled for removal because they are no longer considered safe.

So far, the Sheldon park board has raised $14,339 toward purchasing $26,500 of Simon Says playground equipment, which includes three slides, one inclined wall climber, one whistle, wood playground mulch, playground border with surfacing and an accessible half ramp.

A variety of organizations have donated to the park board's project. The town of Sheldon committed $2,000 and is attempting to raise an additional $1,000. The town also donated $9,139 worth of in-kind labor costs, bringing down the cost of the project. Missouri Welding Institute committed $1,000. Softball tournaments at the park raise around $7,000. The Sheldon Masonic Lodge pledged $1,000 and is trying to raise an additional $500.

In support of the Sheldon playground equipment project, park board member Amanda Hall requested Healthy Nevada provide $4,000.

"This project will assist in making Sheldon park a much safer and exciting place for our children to stay active, improve their social skills and fight off childhood obesity," Hall wrote in her request. "Having newer and safer playground equipment will be a magnet for our Sheldon youth to be active at the Sheldon park. Parents will be more likely to bring their children to the park if they feel their children will be in a safe environment."

She said the playground equipment also represents a significant improvement in its ADA compliance.

"We believe this will make the park a more accessible place for community members who have physical disability concerns," she said. "With these improvements, we anticipate the park will be a source of community pride and will draw even more people and activity."

The Healthy Nevada Board of Directors will consider the request at its meeting July 9.