Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SHERWOOD PARK PLAYGROUNDS HONDURAS BOUND

The Gilmore Park Community 'Plays it Forward'

January 28, 2014 – Strathcona County

Two weeks ago a shipping container departed from Strathcona County bound for Honduras, filled with local play equipment rescued from disposal at the landfill.  When the Gilmore Park Community League formed in 2011 for the purpose of revitalizing their park in the community of Glen Allan in Sherwood Park, they knew there was nothing wrong with their equipment.  "It just wasn't attracting users so when we heard about other groups that had taken playgrounds to communities in need, we had to find a way to see our project go full circle" said Gilmore Park Community League President Tammy Greidanus.

With support from local businesses, over 220 households in the neighbourhood and Federal, Provincial & Municipal Governments Gilmore Park saw a new playground installed in the summer of 2013.  Since that time the group has shifted gears to fundraise towards relocating the previous playground.  A partnership was forged between the Gilmore Park Community League, Rotary groups from Sherwood Park, Edmonton, Rotary International, Roatan Rotary and the Emmanuel Foundation.  Together these dedicated groups of volunteers have coordinated the logistical details of this project including filling the shipping container with humanitarian aid needed by the receiving community.

At the end of March, 12 individuals including 6 Sherwood Park residents will travel to the island of Roatan and the community of Santa Helena to rebuild the playground equipment from Gilmore Park and Jean Vanier School in Strathcona County.  One of the build team volunteers was in Roatan this month and spoke to a local boy "We were buying carved turtle necklaces from an 11 year old boy named Daniel.  He had perfect English he has learned in only 2 years from selling his father's wares.  I told him about this project in Santa Helena.  I told him we were building a playground.  He said, 'What is a playground?' We tried to describe it. There was nothing he could relate it to."  This speaks to the importance of the project because every child has the right to play!

The new playground equipment in Gilmore Park brought the community together and supporters of this project believe it will have the same effect in the new community.  "The Gilmore Community League projects are a wonderful result of Strathcona County community spirit. I applaud these residents for their efforts put into a playground rebuild for their neighbourhood, and now for turning their generosity and caring to a focus on our global neighbour Honduras."  Strathcona County Mayor Roxanne Carr.

To raise funds for the playground relocation project the Gilmore Park Community League is hosting a Pub Night & Silent Auction on Saturday, February 8 at 7pm at Caffrey's in the Park, tickets are $10 and can be reserved by emailing gilmorepark@live.com

To learn more about the Gilmore Park Playground Relocation Project please contact:

Chris Greidanus: 780-710-4563

gilmorepark@live.com