LAHARPE — Volunteers hope it takes a little less than a village to assemble and install playground equipment Sunday.
But they want to be prepared in case it does.
LaHarpe PRIDE, a half-dozen or so University of Kansas students, a group of 4-H’ers, Thrive Allen County and other volunteers will work in league all day Sunday to install several playground equipment pieces at the LaHarpe City Park.
Organizers are hoping to draw more volunteers, particularly ones skilled at reading technical designs and product assembly.
The equipment sports a number of unique climbing features certain to attract both the young and the young at heart.
“This is a community build project, and Allen County is our community,” noted Damaris Kunkler, Thrive director, in extending her appeal for other volunteers. “Let’s build a playground!”
The effort begins at 8:30 a.m. Sunday at the park. Lunch will be served.
Kunkler hopes to send the volunteers home by 4 p.m.
Plans also are being shaped in case of inclement weather, in which the pieces may be assembled indoors and shipped later to the park for assembly.
For more information, contact Kunkler at 365-8128.
THE PLAYGROUND project is just one element of the weekend involving the college students in town as part of a “fall break” community service endeavor.
In addition to helping with the playground, students will help clear several yards of junk; PRIDE members have sought out homes in which the occupants are physically unable to do cleanup work on their own.
At least five properties will be cleared. Much of that work will take place Monday and again Tuesday morning before the students return to Lawrence.
The students will camp out from Saturday afternoon through Tuesday at Iola’s Recreation Community Building.