A dream becomes reality

It’s not often that dreams become reality, but the dreams of area youth will be real by this time next week.

Starting tomorrow, May 19, more than 700 volunteers will begin turning a patch of ground on Camano Island into the Rotary Adventure Playground.

It all started out simple enough — a couple of people talking about how the community lacked a destination where youth could go to play, imagine and grow.

The dreamers grew to a couple of dozen.

Then, last year, a playground designer spent a day talking to community youth about what they would have in their ideal playground. While you won’t find the anti-gravity chamber or the goo pit, the final design is comprised of the wide-eyed dreams of Stanwood and Camano Island youth.

The Rotary Adventure Playground will become reality thanks to nearly $200,000 in donations from community members and companies, to the commitment of the many volunteers who will construct the playground, and to the leadership of the community’s activists.

“It’ll be like an Amish barn raising,” said Greg Gilday, the project’s coordinator.

Volunteers need not be expert carpenters or craftsmen, but simply willing to help.

“There is a job for everyone,” Gilday said, “and by Sunday afternoon we will have an amazing playground.”

Even with 700 committed volunteers, more people are still needed to make the magic happen May 19–23.

“We hope every individual in our community will step up and play a part,” Gilday said.

More tools are also needed. A list of which tools are still needed can be found at the Web site, www. iHeartParks.org. Organizers guarantee that tools will be returned in the same condition as when they arrived, or better.

Childcare and meals will be provided throughout the five-day work party.

“So many of our local restaurants and organizations have agreed to provide meals, it will be like a Taste of Stanwood and Camano,” Gilday said.

All residents, friends and neighbors are invited and encouraged to join in the creation of something truly good, a real creative playground for the community’s children.

“Everyday, ordinary people will be guided through the tasks of creating a true community masterpiece.”

Cash donations can still be made to the project, via the Stanwood Camano Area Foundation. Volunteers can sign up for specific shifts and tasks at www.iHeart- Parks.org.

For information call 629-2900.