Build week begins on new Soda Springs community playground

It’s an idea that started two years ago with a group of moms in Soda Springs. Now, it’s in the construction phase.

It’s build week for the new commUNITY playground in Soda Springs – a playground deigned to include kids with disabilities and special needs.

“We’re so relieved and just thankful,” said Georgia Brown, co-coordinator of the commUNITY playground. “And just to have the accomplishment of doing this for our community – it’s going to be something that we’ll remember for the rest of our lives.”

The playground committee raised $320,000 in two years. Though they are still about $20,000 short of their total goal, the committee is proud of what has been accomplished.

“We saw a need and we filled a need,” Brown said. “There are children in our community that don’t have places to play and that’s not fair. And you never know when you may need a playground like this. I mean, my dad is in a wheelchair and I would love for him to be able to play with my kids on a playground so it doesn’t even have to be a child that needs this playground.”

Since it is a community playground, it’s taking a community to build it. Members of the community, company volunteers and youth groups showed up to lend a hand.

There are about 50 to 75 volunteers signed up for each day, the goal was 100 each day. Crews will be working in three different shifts each day through Saturday to get the playground built.

Anyone who can spare a few hours can go the Soda Springs park and check in and help wherever possible. They are still looking for more volunteers.

Volunteers who are helping said they are glad to be a part of helping the playground come to life.

“I think it’s awesome,” said Lisa Wilde, a volunteer. “It’s great for Soda, it’s great for the community, for all of Caribou County. I’m excited for the new playground – we’ve needed new playground equipment for years. Since my kids were little, now my grandkids can play on this.”

Brown said once the playground is built, it has to sit for a week and the rubber surfacing still has to be installed. She said the plan is that within just a couple more weeks the playground will be ready for the kids to enjoy.

The added splash pad is planned to be built next year.

More information on the playground and on volunteering can be found on the group’s Facebook page.