St. Bernard Community Playground
“Imagined & Designed by Our Children, Built by Our Community”
“The evidence of community effort is all around us. We participate in food, clothes and toy
drives for the needy. We volunteer our time in schools, nursing homes and hospitals. We give
generously to organizations like the American Red Cross and United Way. We're involved in community
committees or service organizations such as the Kiwanis, Rotary and Lion's Clubs as well as the FCE and
Community Collaboration Committee.
The Community Playground Project takes community effort to another level. It takes us from
dreams to reality; from children designers to community organizers; & from piggy bank pennies to
generous givers. Everyone has a chance to be involved. And, everyone has to be involved…to build an
11,000 sq. ft. playground and a 200-seat amphitheatre for the entire community!
This project makes for a showcase of community effort. The completed playground will stand for
years as a reminder for children, adults and our metropolitan neighbors of the power in community. It will
speak to us of the efforts of community members and the incredible impact we can have on any
community concern.”
- Polly Campbell Boudreaux, General Coordinator
Community Playground Project
Step by Step: The St. Bernard Community Playground Project
Step 1 – Selection of the Project, April 5, 2002: The St. Bernard Community
Collaboration selected the St. Bernard Community Playground Project as its top priority
for 2002, and it selected Leathers and Associates, Inc. as the consultant for the project.
The Playground Steering Committee was formed.
Step 2 – Approval of the Project, June 4, 2002: The St. Bernard Parish Council
approved the concept of the Community Playground Project and approved the use of
Torres Park for the playground. Later, the St. Bernard Parish School Board voted to
support the project, & they voted to help fund a 200-seat amphitheater, as part of the
playground project.
Step 3 – Volunteer Recruitment & Training: On June 17, 2002 & again on October
21, 2002, volunteers from the community met in Chalmette to begin planning for the
committees that were needed for the construction of the playground.
Step 4 – Fund-Raising: On July 4, 2002, the fundraising for the Community
Playground kicked off at the St. Bernard Parish 4th of July Celebration in Torres Park.
Later in the fall, the “little red wagon” began visiting local schools, & Lacoste
Elementary School in Chalmette was the first school to reach its fund-raising goal of
$1,000. The project raised some $160,000 in money and materials.
Step 5 – Design Day and Community Celebration: On August 20, 2002, some 550
students participated in Design Day in Chalmette. They contributed suggestions for the
design of the community playground. That evening several hundred students and family
members viewed the unveiling of the preliminary design of the playground.
Step 6 – Donor Breakfast, November 1, 2002: The Honorary Chairman, the Steering
Committee, and the Board Members of the Community Playground hosted a breakfast
for donors at Barristers in Chalmette. The Playground Critters, which were designed by
the St. Bernard High School art students and their art teacher, were unveiled.
Step 7 – Promotions and Public Information, December 7, 2002: Representatives of
the Community Playground Project walked in the Chamber’s Christmas Parade in
Chalmette. The Community Playground Banner, created by students enrolled in the St.
Bernard High School Art Program, was unveiled. Some 40 different newspaper articles
and personal columns about the playground appeared in local newspapers, and
steering committee members gave presentations to numerous civic clubs and
businesses.
Step 8 – Playground TV Show, December 13, 2002: On, representatives of the
Community Playground Project filmed its first “Community Playground Update” in the
studio of the St. Bernard Parish Government Access Channel. The hour-long television
show featured video, slides, props & in-studio conversations to update the public on the
Community Playground. The show aired numerous times on local cable TV. An
additional update show was aired in February.
Step 9 – Organization Day, January 30, 2003: The Community Playground Project
held its Organization Day. The project reviewed the progress & mapped out a strategy
for the final stages of the project. The playground site was reviewed, committee chairs
presented their plans, the final design was selected, and schedules, plans,
responsibilities, and construction details were planned.
Step 10 - Construction Days, April 8-11, 2003: After months of planning and hard
work, an army of 1,500 enthusiastic volunteers of various skill levels devoted over 5,000
hours of volunteer service to transform a patch of Torres Park into something
magnificent: our own community-designed and community-built playground and a 200seat amphitheater.
Step 11 - Playground Preview, April 26, 2003: The community and our children
previewed the playground.
Step 12 - Work Day, May 24, 2003: Some 100 volunteers worked to help make the
playground ready for the grand opening. The amphitheater stage was completed.
Step 13 – Grand Opening, May 31, 2003: The St. Bernard Community Playground
was opened to the public during a grand opening celebration.
Step 14 – Appreciation Dinner, July 17, 2003: Key volunteers were hosted at an
appreciation dinner.
Step 15 - Continuing Long-Term Care: Our community-built playground should last at
least 25 years, if it is properly maintained. We want to make sure that the Community
Playground is properly maintained so the Playground Steering Committee is forming a
non-profit organization to continue to help maintain the playground in Torres Park.
St. Bernard Community Playground Project
P.O. Box 118
Chalmette, La 70044