How much will the
playground cost to build?
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Our budget for the playground is $130,000.
This covers the cost of materials,
design consultations, construction supervision, and associated costs. Once completed, the playground will
be worth two or three times the cost to
build.
Why community-built?
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As hundreds of communities from across
the country will testify, the benefits of
community-built go well beyond the enormous
cost savings. The community-built
experience offers a rare opportunity for
individuals to collectively give something
back
to their community, resulting in a
beautifully crafted, unique expression of
shared pride.
Most importantly, however, is the community
enrichment resulting from the
volunteer-built experience. Community built
builds community.
What materials will be
used to build the playground?
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Our playground will be built with a
combination of plastic composite lumber and
arsenic-free treated wood (for support).
The composite material, with the look and
feel
of wood, is used for most contact
surfaces, such as decking and handrails.
This will
ensure low maintenance and long
life of the playground.
Who is Leathers &
Associates?
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Leathers & Associates is the original
community-built playground company with
extensive
experience and expertise in both
playground design and the community-built
process. The
firm has been designing and
building playgrounds for over 30 years (1700
worldwide!).
Leathers & Associates has led playground
builds all over the country and is
an expert in
building Science Parks, having design and
built science parks in Oregon,
Oklahoma,
Florida, New York, and Missouri.
Will the Science Park
be open to other children?
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Yes! Our hope is that students
throughout our community will have the
opportunity to
participate in all the
opportunities that Discovery Park has to
offer.
What are the science
elements of the playground?
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Through interactive play, the science
playground encourages curiosity, imaginative
play,
and hands-on learning. Some of the
science equipment includes:
|
Math Maze Fulcrum Balance Earthquake Bridge Pendulum Swings Dancing Magnets Chimes Fire Pole Abacus Net Swing Rope Climb Historical Building Structures |
Friction Slides Plant Growth Cycle Mural Momentum Swings Tunnel Speaking Tubes Sundial Compass Water Cycle Tactile Wall Weather Station Atomic Structure Climber |
|
Build: October 16-22, 2006 |
Will
the playground meet Virginia safety
standards?
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to top
Yes!
The playground was designed by John Dean and
the construction will be supervised by
Michael Cohen, both certified Playground
Safety Inspectors with Leathers and
Associates. The design conforms with
the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
guidelines, as well as the American
Standards for Testing Materials (ASTM)
standards and Americans with Disabilities
Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG).
How can a structure
built by volunteers be safe and
professional?
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Leathers & Associates has been assisting
communities with community-built projects
for
over 30 years. Their construction
system has been proven over time to be both
safe
and volunteer friendly. The firm's
professional staff are all experienced in
the
uniqueness of the community-built
process and are Certified Playground Safety
Inspectors. Additionally, Leathers &
Associates volunteer-built structures are
designed and constructed
with strict
adherence to all applicable nationally
recognized playground safety standards
and
guidelines, ensuring safety and durability.
Are donations to the
playground fund tax deductible?
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Yes. Sully PTO is a 501(c)(3) non-profit
organization and all donations are tax
deductible
to the extent allowed by law.
How long will the
playground last?
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With today’s materials and proper
maintenance, Leathers playgrounds can easily
last 25
years.
Discovery Park
Sully Elementary
300 Circle Drive
Sterling, VA 20164