More volunteers needed for North Beach project

By Abe Winter

Wednesday, October 22, 2003 12:58 AM CDT

RACINE - There's a lot to do to make the North Beach Playground a reality, and volunteers say the nautical-themed playland will be ready for Sunday's scheduled grand opening.

But after an overflow of helpers showed up Monday for some preliminary work, the number volunteers were down on Tuesday. If the shortfall continues, the project could struggle to meet its deadline, organizers said.

"We're doing well, but we're behind schedule," said co-chairman Steve Smiley, who estimated there were 120 volunteers at the site early Tuesday afternoon. "I'd like to see twice as many volunteers Wednesday."

Anyone interested in working on the project can sign up at the volunteer tent at North Beach, which is located just off Michigan Boulevard to the north of Barker Street and the Racine Yacht Club.

Here are some reasons to volunteer:

* The playground figures to be quite an addition to the

community.

"What we're trying to do is get the kids in an environment in which their imagination flourishes and they enter into creative play," Smiley said.

* The reward for many volunteers will come when they bring children to the playground.

"Absolutely," said volunteer Hope Owsichek, who took a break from putting in posts for the foundation. She also helped build Kids Connection in Franksville and enjoys taking Garrett, her 9-year-old son, to play there.

"I think it sets a very good example for our son because he tells his friends that `My Mom and her friends helped build this.' " Tony Bigonia agreed. "Nobody's forcing me to be here," said Bigonia, a manager at CNH. "I saw it as a neat project that needed community involvement and that's why I came."

* A chance to help the

community.

"People have told me that it gets in your blood and you'll want to do it again," Bigonia said. "It's almost starting to feel that way now."

Bigonia has three children - ages 15, 19 and 26 - who won't be playing in the playground. But he's looking forward to bringing his grandchild, 3-year-old Paula, to play there.

"Come and be a part of your community," Bigonia said. "Help out."

Cathy Bayuk, who was pounding nails Tuesday and will return for another shift Thursday, likes the work ethic shown by the

volunteers.

"It looks good and it's amazing how much work we've done since this morning," she said. "Anyone can help. There's lots of jobs and it would be nice to have more come out and help."

During a mini-tour, Smiley proudly pointed out various items, such as the 11 backs of wooden benches that will feature a frog, whale, mermaid, shark, fish, turtle, dolphin, shark, octopus and more. Each needed to be cut out and then painted.

Smiley also enjoys explaining some of the items that children certainly will enjoy playing on or in - the pirate ship complete with a gang plank and two crow's nests, a giant salmon with a slide that will be its tongue, a lighthouse with a telescope from which one can view the Wind Point Lighthouse to the north, the skeleton of a whale that children can run through, a sand castle and the opportunity to uncover buried "sea

monsters."

"We want to create space for imagination," Smiley said, adding that the volunteers are from all backgrounds and the children who play here will also be from varied backgrounds.

Again, he encouraged anyone with time to spare to show up today through Saturday to provide help during any of the three shifts between 8 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. daily. There are meals, and child care near the site is

provided.

"I want people to come down to be part of the community in which you are in a barn-raising environment and just feel tired and with a feeling of accomplishment at the end of the day," Smiley said.

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