NASHVILLE,
Tenn.
– Dozens of volunteers were expected to help rebuild a neighborhood playground.
The once colorful, thriving playground was destroyed by arsons.
The
playground at the McGruder Family Resource Center went up in flames in April.
Several plastic slides were melted, and the playground was left blackened and
charred.
"I was
devastated," said facility director Tracye Henderson. "We have a
program here that focuses on preventing childhood obesity and diabetes, and so
they utilize every piece of this playground every day."
The
playground was built in November of 2011, and NewsChannel 5 made a time lapse video during construction. Over 260 volunteers came together, and in a single
day put the playground together, piece by piece.
The United
Way of Nashville organized the volunteer project that built the original
playground. The project was assisted by the non-profit KaBoom and several other
organizations that jumped in to help make it all happen.
The
playground rebuild began at 8:30 a.m. Thursday. Over 50 people turned out to
help rebuild and replace the damaged items.
Officials
said they expected to have the playground finished by Thursday evening.
Security cameras
have been added to deter future problems.
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