Playground gets a spring cleaning; Thanks to a wealth of Coventry community support

It was a perfect day – lots of friends, some returning, some new. College students, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Brownies and  former Coventry students all helped out on Saturday April 26th at the Spring Coventry P.E.A.C.E. playground cleanup.

By 9 a.m. they were munching on the continental breakfast donated by Tommy’s, Zoss the Swiss Baker and Phoenix Coffee. The weather was perfect –neither too cool nor too hot, nor too rainy with just a few sprinkles. The sun came out while the weeding, raking, shrub pruning and playground equipment repair proceeded at an organized pace with Erick Kauffman, P.E.A.C.E president, directing and orchestrating. Interspersed in the laughter and shouts of kids playing and working could be heard calls for “more bags please” to be filled with the leaves, clippings and weeds. By lunch time everyone was ready to sit down to a delicious meal donated by Guy’s Pizza, Tommy’s Restaurant and Zagara’s Marketplace.

The wrap up after lunch included spreading the mulch donated by the board of education. A big thanks goes to the above merchants who donated food and to Seitz Agin Hardware for donating supplies and helpful advice.

Another big thanks goes to the CH-UH Business Department for letting us use the Coventry all purpose room to serve lunch and for providing the building supervisor to open the building at 7 a.m. to set up tables, etc. Many thanks to the John Carroll University students who donated their Saturday, and to all the community individuals who answered the call of “clean up time, rain or shine.” Be sure to join us again in the Fall – date to be announced.

The P.E.A.C.E. playground was built by the Coventry parents and community volunteers during a cold, rainy week in the spring of 1993, although planning started before 1991. Funds were raised through many garage sales, donations from foundations and individuals, a Community Development Block grant from the city, brick sales and bake sales for starters. Since that time, Coventry P.E.A.C.E. has organized two work days a year to expand and maintain the gardens and keep the playground equipment in good repair. There is a lot more history about the entire playground area that can be told in another issue of the Heights Observer.

P.E.A.C.E. means People Enhance A Child’s Environment. Now that the school is closed the “Child’s Environment” has been expanded to a “Community’s Environment.” In 2006 we planted over 2,000 bulbs for everyone to enjoy.

This summer P.E.A.C.E. and Steve Presser of Big Fun will again sponsor four movie nights. We need volunteers to help out. Contact email: erick.kauffman@sbcglobal.net to participate.

The P.E.A.C.E. garden and playground is a jewel for the community. Come on, join in the fun, to meet new friends and for the satisfaction of participating.

Joanne Campbell is a 42 year resident of Cleveland Heights whose children, and grandchildren, have graduated from Heights High School.

Read More on Neighborhoods
Volume 1, Issue 2, Posted 10:09 PM, 04.28.2008