Powder Creek Park is located in downtown Bonham and currently has beautiful trees, native plants, a walking track, restrooms, and a sturdy bridge. In addition, the park has the potential to positively impact the community of Bonham and surrounding areas even further by providing a state-of-the-art playground nestled in Powder Creek Park. Local children and their families, as well as other groups and visitors to the downtown Bonham area, will benefit from the addition of a playground.

Powder Creek Community Playground would undoubtedly create an area suitable for families, children, and community groups to gather for spring picnics, summer get-togethers, and fall festivals. Some of those events are currently being held elsewhere – in some cases, simply because there is no playground equipment in Powder Creek Park.

The Powder Creek Community Playground Committee has been planning and fundraising to see the dream of local children become a reality since 2008. Local children from Finley-Oates Elementary, IW Evans Intermediate, and Forerunner Christian Academy assisted in providing inspiration for the design of the playground. Although the original design has been scaled down to decrease the total amount of funds needed, there is still an awesome playground design that those children and supporters long to see.

Over $32,000 in funds have been raised thus far by “grassroot” efforts. Civic organizations, individuals, corporations, and local foundations have come together financially to help get the playground constructed at Powder Creek Park.  

Chi Lambda is a non-profit organization in rural Fannin County that provides funding and support to local agencies serving children. It started in around 1985 and local women of all backgrounds and communities in Fannin County make up the sorority's membership. In March Chi Lambda had their annual auction in which they give 10% of their proceeds, almost $2,500 to the playground. Chi Lambda's support of the playground continues as the members have agreed to sell pickets in hopes to help raise even more funds for the community built playground that will benefit children of all abilities. Children having differing abilities will also benefit from Powder Creek Park Community Playground. Specifically, specially designed swings that provide fasteners so that children are secure will be available at the playground. In addition, the playground will allow children to jump, play and get exercise increasing physical movement and decreasing the likelihood of childhood obesity. However, not all disabilities are visible. 

Many children have physical/neurological disorders that are positively impacted by play. For example, the physical opportunities that will be available at the playground will provide input that allows children to increase muscle tone, balance, coordination and motor planning. Unfortunately, children are also the bearers of stress. Unstructured play allows children to decrease symptoms of stress by burning off energy, socializing with others, and using their imaginations. By providing a safe and developmentally appropriate playground to children and families, Powder Creek Community Playground will create a positive environment to enhance all areas of a child's development while providing a family friendly place to spend time together.

In order to see the park through to fruition, much more work is necessary. Local fundraising efforts are on-going. There is still much work to be done before the playground becomes a reality. For example, obtaining donated materials, getting more sponsorships to purchase components, selling personalized pickets to fence the playground, and raising additional fees for Leathers and Associates (the company that has provided and will continue to provide on-going guidance, consultation, architectural design, and construction oversight during the construction phase) are still on the “to do” list.

Ways that you can positively impact the completion of the playground are ample and include the following:  

• Acknowledge someone special: Buy personalized pickets that will be used to build a fence around the playground. You can honor a friend or family member, remember a past family member, or have your business or organization's name on the picket.

·         Become a Sponsor: Purchase a specific component (playground equipment). The name of the purchaser will be displayed at the playground. Upon completion, donors will be recognized. The following is a list of components that are still available. Components can be purchased by one or more individuals, groups, or businesses.

·         Volunteer: This project is volunteer driven with many opportunities to share your talents and serve the community. Several committees still need help in order to make the playground change from a dream to a reality. Spreading the word is also important, please visit and “Like” us on Facebook and talk to others about this unique opportunity to be a part of the community in a positive way. Additional volunteer opportunities include helping with the following committees:

1) Food Committee (Helps provide food to the volunteers during the construction of the playground).

2) Volunteer Committee (Helps sign-up volunteers, maintains contact information of volunteers, and informs volunteers of events and the schedule during build week).

3) Child Care Committee (Provides responsible childcare for volunteers during the build).

4) Children's Committee (Provides children opportunities to be part of the design, fundraising, the promotion of the playground).

5) Tools Committee (Secures tools to be borrowed and returned from local individuals and/or businesses during the build).

6) Materials Committee (Secure donated materials from businesses to help decrease the total cost of the playground).

7) Construction (Volunteers helping with the build need not be professionals. Leathers & Associates will be on-site during build week (October 16^th, 17^th, 18^th, 19^th & 20^th of 2013) and will supervise and provide guidance on what the volunteers need to do to make the playground secure and safe for the children.) Captains will need to be available all day throughout the build.

Great Days of Service has partnered with Powder Creek Community Playground and all volunteers should sign up at http://www.gds-bonham.org once registration on their website begins. Volunteers can be individuals, families, civic organization members, church congregations, and even staff members from local business. Children and youth programs such as Church Youth Groups, 4-H Clubs, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, various school clubs, homeschool co-ops are just some examples of young people getting involved and participating in this community project.

There are concerns that have been included in many discussions regarding possible vandalism and other unfavorable activity at the park and on the playground. The goal is to utilize cameras to deter such activity along with ample lighting to discourage such behaviors. In addition, the community and volunteers will have a sense of ownership that will assist in helping watch out for suspect activities and keep the playground clean by having a long-term committee that keeps records of maintenance and repairs after construction.

At present, the park has handicapped accessible restrooms, concrete walking paths, and many specimens of native plants. However, one thing is missing . . . a playground for children. Much like the quote from the blockbuster film, Field of Dreams: "If you build it, they will come." Please consider being a part of this community project that will bring many together for a common goal of providing a state-of-the-art playground at a fraction of the cost with the generosity and dedication of volunteers.

 For those interested in learning about Leathers and Associates, you may visit http://www.leathersassociates.com/.