To the Business Owners and Managers of Pelican Rapids:
We are writing on behalf of the playground equipment committee of the Pelican Rapids Early Childhood Initiative Coalition. The Coalition consists of Parents, Early Childhood Professionals, Business, and Education members whom have a general interest in opportunities for our youngest children in our community. We have existed as a group since granted our initial dollars in June 2004. The ECI grant is about working within the community to build an awareness, opportunities and support for what young children need to flourish.
As parents and community members, we have found that there is a great need for toddler safe playground equipment at the E.L. Peterson Park. This is such a wonderful, popular park which hosts many of our community's exciting events. The park does have great equipment geared for older preschool and school age children; however, nothing currently exists for children ages 1‑3 where they can safely play. As a result, we are working together to obtain appropriate equipment to be placed within the location of the park where older structures exist. We believe this would complete the park and create an area that would be fun, accessible, and beneficial to the community of Pelican Rapids.
Our goal is to raise the amount of $15,000 in order to cover the cost of removal of the old equipment, the toddler playground equipment and its installation to be completed for the summer of 2007. Currently, the ECI Coalition grant has committed to funding a portion of this equipment while our committee will work together to allocate additional funds. We have received the necessary approval from the city for removal of the older structures and to proceed with our project.
As a group, we are kindly asking you to contribute a donation to our cause in order to create this opportunity for a safe, accessible and fun area at the E. L. Peterson Park for our youngest citizens of Pelican Rapids. Your tax‑deductible donation will be greatly appreciated by March 1st and will receive recognition.
One of the committee members will be in contact with you soon. If have any questions, or need further information, prior to our phone call please do not hesitate to contact any of the members listed below.
Sincerely,
Jamie Funk
Kristy Berg
Heidi Isaman
Amber Olson
Staci Haiby
56572 snowbirds (or locals too busy to write a check) can donate to this project online here. In the drop down menu Gift Designation select the Pelican Rapids Fund. Earmark the donation in the next field with the words Pelican Rapids Early Childhood Playground Project. How about $10 each from 56572 readers under the age of 30? It's one way you can give back...easily. Use the comment button below to email us the online receipt of your donation from West Central Initiative for recognition on 56572. See what PRHS class gives the most.
2 hours ago
1 comment:
This is a great idea. The youngest kids are not safely represented in the current city/school playgrounds.
I recently moved from Pelican - but remember having to watch my littlest ones very closely to make sure they didn't fall from open ladder ports or between the safety rails. Some slides require younger kids to drop from shoulder height to the ground - and if the weather is colder, the slides can get really fast - launching your little one several feet out of the chute and onto their tailbone. The slides at the elementary school are warped and give an uncontrollably bumpy ride.
Daycare providers probably have it the worst - trying to keep everyone safe on the larger play complexes. It must take considerable effort to hold back a group of active toddlers when the older kids are itching to climb, slide and run.
My family frequented every park in the town, but some clearly presented more of a hazard than others.
Pelican is lucky to have an active group of ladies looking out for the youngest children.
I hope your playground upgrade committee is a huge success - the future of Pelican can only benefit from your efforts.
Phil Huck
"just settling into Crookston"
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