 Close to 80 hearty volunteers arrived with the rain on Saturday, July 8,
2001, with the goal of building a playground at G.A.R. Park at Fremont Lake. "The
numbers are a little lower than we expected," commented David Byrne. "The
weather didn't really help."The day started off with rain accompanied by thunder
and some lightening. But with the help of canvas rigging and rain-resistant clothing, the
electric saws were spinning and hammers and wrenches were put into action.
The Fremont Rotary spearheaded the Playground Project with financial assistance from
The Fremont Area Community Foundation, The City of Fremont and The Gerber Foundation. The
project's price tag was close to $40,000. Volunteer groups that helped put the different
parts of the playground together include Fremont Rotary, LINC, City officials and workers,
Young Life, Consumers Power, Newaygo Academy, Bethany Step Program, Boy Scouts, Teen
Challenge, White Cloud Rotary and numerous individuals from across Newaygo County.
Volunteers ranged in age from nine to 80.
Materials used to build the project were provided at cost by Webb Lumber Co. and
Haveman Hardware. The actual playground construction started on Thursday, July 6, and
continued Friday through Sunday the 9th. During that time workers were treated
to refreshments provided by Mancino's (pizza), Subway (sandwiches), Bill's Shop-N-Save
(donuts), D&W (donuts), Burger King (coffee and soda) and Lake Side Swirl. |
