We closed last year with nearly $8,000 raised to replace the playground equipment at Salter Grove—one third more than our goal. Thank you all for your generous support!

We raised $2,281 from the sale of raffle tickets and netted $4,572.50 from individual donations, We also received a $1,000 legislative grant via Sen. Michael McCaffrey. Some of these funds passed though our fiscal sponsor, the New England Grassroots Environment Fund.

We have already purchased two T-swing sets, which include standard sling seats, as well as one each for toddlers and ADA compliance. These are being stored by Warwick’s Public Works Department until we have acquired all equipment for the toddler section of the replacement playground.

We have decided to postpone commissioning decorative trash containers in favor of completing this toddler section which includes the swing sets, benches to form a semienclosed space, a slide, and a safe play surface. Eventually, the space between benches will be planted with evergreen shrubs.

FoSG member and landscape designer Matt Dickinson is in the process of designing the layout of playground equipment and benches for the toddler section. Absent a budgetary quote for the benches, we estimate the cost to be $32,000, which will be our Phase II fundraising goal.

For technical reasons, it makes sense to wait until we have all the components of the toddler section before proceeding with installation. So think good thoughts about how wonderful the new playground will look, and continue to support our fundraising efforts. Speaking of which, we are always looking for volunteers to help with fundraising. If you are interested, please contact Michael Jarvis at mjarvis7.mj@gmail.com.