
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, May 4, 1995                   TAG: 9505040060
SECTION: NEIGHBORS                    PAGE: S-10   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JAMES EDWARD HARRIS
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

PLAYGROUND MEETS KIDS' TEST

It's a big "improvement over the other playground because this one has more slides, and it's safer because it's made of plastic and rubber instead of metal," proclaimed Amanda Taylor, who recently tested the new playground equipment at Garst Mill Park.

Renovated tennis courts and restrooms, a rebuilt pedestrian bridge and the playground are part of the $40,000 facelift to the park. The renovations were earmarked in a $17 million Roanoke County bond referendum.

Pete Haislip, director of parks and recreation, said the county plans to spend between $25,000 and $60,000 more on the park, depending on the amount of a grant it has applied for.

The new playground, said Taylor, a fifth-grader at Oak Grove school "is a great place to meet your friends."

by CNB