Kids design their playground in Wayne

Wayne schoolchildren put their hopes for a new playground on paper Monday (see Kennebec Journal story). Asked by Barry Segal of Leathers & Associates to describe what their ideal playground would be, they described many features that ranged from the impossible to the probable. Among them were a hot tub with ice cubes in it and a castle that you could steer with a steering device controlling a swing that another kid was on. "Of course," noted the designer, "if the kid doesn't want it you don't do it."

Leathers' Barry Segal drew up a proposed architectural plan for the playground using input from their designs.

Leathers is the firm that built the first Wayne playground. The process of community design and construction was similar and took place in 1988. However, that playground was torn down in a two-stage process that started last fall and ended this spring. The reasons for the demolition were twofold, namely a curing process for the timbers used that involved arsenic, a toxin, and many years of wear.

At an evening meeting for residents, Playground Committee Chairman Jeff Ireland thanked the committee and the children who had aided in the design. He asked for community support, noting that ways for residents to help range from financial contributions to labor to food on construction day.

Speaking to a Ladd Center audience of parents and children, Leathers' Barry Segal described the development process that the schoolchildren had gone through earlier and presented his design. He followed with a slide show showing other Leathers playgrounds across the county. Since the original Wayne playground was built, the company's playground construction materials have undergone a transformation. Now they are made out of recycled materials, largely plastics. Expected life is long and maintenance is minimal.

Among the schoolchildren who presented their designs were Jillian Tripp, Brian McNamara, Gina Schultz, Allie Phair, Connor Ireland, and Gavin Towns.

The first construction day will be Sept. 23. The committee has asked for donations and may be reached by contacting Jeff Ireland at tlcjireland [at] roadunner.com or calling 685-7235.