After days of mostly non-stop rain, the skies cleared long enough for the “playground Build Day” to take place on Saturday, June 23, at Lakes by the Bay Park in Cutler Bay.
About 60 volunteers turned out to assist parks staff, town council members and others to assemble the equipment.
“Even with the weather threatening, we had many volunteers show and the team- work was amazing,” said Jean Tong- Noon, director of JMT Creates Event Planning and Consulting, a volunteer coordinator.
The new community playground facility, located at 8551 SW 216 St., was designed essentially by Whigham Elementary School student Elizabeth Cuevas. Her drawing, submitted in a com- petition at the school, was chosen to inspire the design of the children’s recreational facility adjacent to the school, although practical considerations required some changes.
“Trees could not be placed as in the student drawing because a canopy will be placed over the play area,” Tong-Noon said. “However trees have been planted around the playground. There is still more work to be done before it is open to the public. The swing set still needs to be installed, the structure cemented into the ground and the flooring spread.”
Cutler Bay Mayor Edward P. MacDougall said he was pleased with the joint participation of residents, town council and parks personnel on the project.
“It is a new addition to the building of bet- ter parks in Cutler Bay,” he said afterward.
Dave Cirillo from DW Recreation Services, the playground equipment manufacturer’s installation representative, supervised the assembly team with an assist from Jordan Arutt, a member of the town’s Parks and Recreation Committee.
“What a great time,” said Councilmember Sue Ellen Loyzelle. “Lakes by the Bay Park has a great new playground. A few finishing touches next week and it will be ready for play. Thanks again to all the volunteers.”
A formal dedication ceremony is expected to be scheduled at the start of the school year.
