THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, June 10, 1994 TAG: 9406090200
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ERIC FEBER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: 940610 LENGTH: Medium
But to him and others members of the South Norfolk Ruritan Club and Civic League who helped make the outdoor facility a reality, it was like a mystery novel without a twist, a puzzle without a solution.
{REST} ``We all thought: What's a park without a playground?'' Clifton said.
About a year ago the South Norfolk Ruritans helped build the park's pavilion, clear its grounds and perform other duties. Although proud of the effort, they thought about the children. The equation was not quite complete.
The final chapter to the boat landing project took place a couple of weeks ago when a small group assembled at the park by the Jordan Bridge at an official dedication ceremony of the newly built playground.
Attending the ceremonies on that blustery, cool Saturday morning were Claire Askew, director of the Chesapeake Parks and Recreation Department; R. Darrell Morse, chairman of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board; Mayor William E. Ward; Victoria Loughan, president of the Luncheon Pilot Club of Chesapeake; Phyllis Keeling, governor of the Virginia District, Pilot International; and David E. Roughton, president of the South Norfolk Ruritan Club.
The group was there to laud the efforts of the South Norfolk Ruritans and the many sponsors who helped make the playground a reality.
``Like the skateboard park at Chesapeake City Park, this effort was created without any cost to the taxpayer,'' Clifton said. ``It's another perfect example of a private and public sector partnership.''
The private sector - organizations and businesses like the Pilot International Foundation and Luncheon Pilot Club of Chesapeake, the South Norfolk Ruritan Club, Colonial Pipeline, South Norfolk Civic League, Bank of Hampton Roads and Williams, Tazewell & Associates - came up with the funds. The public sector, in the form of Chesapeake Parks and Recreation Department, then came up with the expertise to implement the project, said Clifton who spearheaded the project.
``Since I have a recreation background and am in the South Norfolk Ruritans, I guess it was only natural for me to chair the project,'' Clifton said. ``But the work was carried out by members of the Ruritans and many others who volunteered and carried this project off. And it's important to recognize who helped bring this park in. The corporations and organizations who helped make it a reality have an interest in the quality of life in the city.''
Clifton said he spent the better part of a year negotiating and getting everyone together before work was even started on the playground project. He contacted the Luncheon Pilot Club of Chesapeake, who made grant money available as it did a few years earlier for the Great Bridge Locks Park. After contacting a few other businesses, Clifton had corralled enough funds.
Finally, recreation officials looked at various types of playground equipment until they decided on low-maintenance, non-lead and high quality pieces in bright kid-pleasing colors, Clifton said.
``Making the playground a reality was not a simple thing,'' he said. ``It took quite a bit of work but during the dedication and later, when I saw kids playing in the playground, it was absolutely worthwhile. I understand the park is now heavily used.''
Clifton said the park/playground is not near a residential area but is situated in a perfect spot.
``Parents do have to bring their children to the park,'' Clifton said. ``But it's a beautiful setting by the water. You can see big ships, there's a picnic area, the pavilion, trees and greenery. It's very scenic.''
Families can launch their boats from the park and later picnic. Parents can then sit on the new park benches while their kids climb over the playground's platform/slide/climbing structure, ride on two different sets of swings and have their imaginations run riot as they ride the fancy spring teeter-totters in the shape of a spaceship, lion and dolphin.
``Who can argue the value of a playground for children?'' Clifton queried. ``This is a benefit to everyone. People will say they are proud to live in a city that builds facilities like this.''
by CNB