“Since I live in the neighborhood, I walk around Greenville Park often. I believe the new playground equipment has become a focal point for the park, and it has changed the way people use our biggest public area. I’ve noticed a steady increase in the number of children and families coming to the park to play or just watch others have fun. Invariably visitors either spend time on the equipment or stop to speak with friends already there. The new equipment is reinforcing our sense of community, and I think it is a wonderful addition to our city.”
Greenville Park Playground
The foundation received a generous grant from the Ford Family Foundation to complete the City of Banks playground project in Greenville city park. The Greenville Park Playground installation occurred in July 2008, providing a place to play for the children in the Banks area.
The outcome of this project has been to provide a play structure geared to children from toddlers up to elementary-age students. Five hundred ninety six students attend Banks Elementary School and the playground is just down the block so many of them play there after school. They all have the opportunity to use the play structure. During the engineering phase of the project, it was determined the cement border of the playground area could be poured up against the existing City sidewalk allowing ADA access to the playground. Community members are using the park more and their children love to play there.
The playground brought people out and they have gotten to know others in the community. Some have been neighbors for years but did not know each other. This sense of community has brought a few unexpected results, including increased volunteerism for various projects. One of the main playground volunteers decided to get more involved, and subsequently ran for and was elected to city council. The City of Banks recently gave Isabel Giron and Hannah McCourt certificates of appreciation for cleaning up around the park. These two third graders pick up garbage around the park on a regular basis.
Installation of the playground equipment went very well, was completed on schedule, and was very enthusiastically received by the community at the grand opening in August 2008. Two businesses donated picnic tables that were installed late in 2009.
“The playground in Greenville Park has been amazing to the community. We’ve been able to meet new people in our neighborhood and I feel like it’s brought our community closer together. My kids and I have spent countless hours enjoying the play structure. It’s great to have a place to go were the kids can let out their energy and I can relax and enjoy watching them have fun.”
“Living right next to Greenville Park is absolutely the best. Every day, I am outside with the kids at the playground, or just taking a walk to get my daily exercise. Parks are the heart of a community, and studies on safe communities show that a well maintained park is actually a deterrent to crime. Simple things, such as good lighting, cleanliness, and having active people outside keep a community safe and thriving. When the playground was built, I was very happy, because it is a reflection of how much the community values our children. When children feel valued by their family, and community; they are less apt to be at risk for undesirable behaviors. I hope Greenville Park will continue to be cared for and valued for the asset it is to our community.”
Main Street Pennants
The pennants hanging along Main Street in Banks are the result of a project completed by members of the Banks Community Foundation as part of the Ford Institute Leadership Program. Designed and made by local artists, they are truly unique and full of Banks character!
