Main fundraiser photo

Franklin Playground Renovation

TO DONATE
NOTE: 100% of your donation will go directly to the playground if a check is submitted to:

Franklin Community Church Playground
26425 Wellington
Franklin, MI 48025

Or feel free to use this GoFundMe site to easily donate online (the fund will be charged a processing fee).

GIVING LEVELS
(Name or business will be included on a Sponsor Sign, which will be part of the new design)
Bronze = $1,000
Silver = $5,000
Gold = $10,000
Platinum = $25,000

HELP SPREAD THE WORD
Please feel free to share this site with anyone who might have an interest in helping our cause.  

MATCHING DONATIONS
Many companies match employee donations to charitable causes.  Please see if your employer does the same.

COMMUNITY BUILD A SUCCESS
Our community build was a great success!  It was wonderful to see so many dedicated members of our community come together to build our new structures.  Due to the overwhelming generosity of our donors, we were able to purchase and install the vast majority of play equipment.

PHASE 2 PLANNING
Scheduled for Spring 2018 and estimated to cost approximately $25K, we hope to add the following amenities to enhance the playground:  Concrete slab with covered pavilion and picnic tables, several benches, concrete pathway from the parking lot to the playground, landscaping and most importantly a maintenance plan to keep our investment in tip-top shape.  If funds allow, we are also considering one more piece of play equipment.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHO OWNS FRANKLIN COMMUNITY PLAYGROUND?

The church owns the playground and the property on which it stands, but it is unfenced and open to the general public.

 WHY DO WE NEED A NEW PLAYGROUND?

Safety is our top concern.  The former structure, which has recently been dismantled, was nearly 20 years old and showing it’s age.  In addition to gaping cracks on the plastic slides, the fasteners that held the structure together were not up to current safety codes and many had already broken.  It was impossible to find contractors to help to repair the equipment, due to liability issues. 

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST AND WHAT IS INCLUDED?

$100,000 will get an entirely new playground with features safe for children of all ages in addition to amenities that our current playground is lacking.  It will include a new foundation, border and extra large sandbox.  The main structure will be rated for ages 2 and older and a smaller structure will be rated for children over age 5.  There will be a new playhouse and lots of bonus features sure to make it unique.  Picnic tables, benches, trash bins and shade structures, will put the finishing touches on an already beautiful area.

 HOW MUCH HAS ALREADY BEEN RAISED?
Due to generous donations from local organizations and community members, we have raised approximately $75,000 (as of 10/26/17).

 WHY DOES IT COST SO MUCH?

The reasons are many:  Raw materials that meet strict playground safety standards are expensive.  It involves lots of steel as well as specialized plastics.  The custom nature, as well as the large size of playground equipment, means heavy manufacturing costs.  And then there’s the liability costs that manufacturers and installers must carry.   Here’s a link to a good article that goes a little more in-depth:  http://www.playground-directory.net/articles/why-commercial-playground-equipment-is-so-expensive-29.html

 WHAT IF THE FULL AMOUNT ISN’T RAISED?

Since replacing the recently dismantled structure in a timely manner is priority, we have decided to proceed in two phases.  Phase 1 equipment order must be placed at least 40 days before the community build.  With the money we have raised so far, we plan to be able to afford the new foundation, border, sandbox, main structure (rated for children age 2+), secondary structure (rated for children age 5+), playhouse and shade structure.  This will be installed during a community build during the weekend of September 8 & 9, 2017.  We will leave the rest to Phase 2 (smaller structure, bonus features and park amenities), although we understand that purchasing and installing as much as we can during Phase 1 will only save money in the end.

 WHAT IS A COMMUNITY BUILD?

Working under a certified playground installer and inspector, a team of community members will assemble the playground in one weekend.  This method can save a significant amount of money and is commonly used.  For example, it was used to build the West Maple Elementary School playground a few years back.

 WHAT WILL THE NEW PLAYGROUND LOOK LIKE?

The 3-D renderings give an idea of how it will look.  Although some features may change, the overall design will embrace the natural setting of the Village of Franklin.  The structures have a subtle tree house theme.  Added details include play equipment such as, faux log tunnels and tree stump stepping-stones.

Donations 

  • Amrita Singh
    • $100 
    • 6 yrs

Organizer

Stephanie Wilbur Cochrane
Organizer
Franklin, MI
Franklin Community Church
 
Registered nonprofit
Donations are typically 100% tax deductible in the US.

Your easy, powerful, and trusted home for help

  • Easy

    Donate quickly and easily.

  • Powerful

    Send help right to the people and causes you care about.

  • Trusted

    Your donation is protected by the  GoFundMe Giving Guarantee.