MANOR - A newly-formed Manor playground committee hosted a barbecue fundraiser on Sept. 10 to assist with various upgrades to its play park.
Located on the west side of town, the large and fully enclosed playground has been a fixture in Manor for decades and enjoyed by countless families. Twenty years ago, the park was completely renovated with a full complement of playground equipment. It now requires additional upgrades and refurbishment.
Melanie Benner is a proud Manor mom and 15-month-old Aspen is her first child.
“Two years of COVID-19 has brought a baby boom to the village of Manor. Our town is full of new moms and this past spring we got together and decided to form a committee to improve our playground. About a month ago, we came up with a plan and we have some short-term objectives.
“We started by rototilling the entire playground surface twice, which was hard as a rock and becoming a safety issue in the event of a fall. We would also like to add rubber matting under every play structure to prevent injuries.
“Our committee would like to construct a gazebo to provide welcome shade during the hot summer months. We would also apply a coat of paint to our existing structures and possibly add additional equipment as our finances permit.”
The barbecue was well attended and there were also over 40 silent auction items donated by various businesses. The Carlyle District Lions Club also provided a $1,000 contribution.
“Our committee was very pleased with the turnout, and we wish to thank all those who came out,” said Benner. “We wish to thank the Manor Fire Department, the Carlyle Lions and the many businesses who provided the auction items. We also want to thank Carlyle OneChurch for setting up their bouncy castles. It was a great day.”
Further fundraisers are planned during the coming months with the committee applying for various grants to assist them in their upgrading plans. Progress can be followed on their Manor Play Park Facebook page. Cash donations are being accepted through the Village of Manor office with tax receipts issued.
