Alburnett erects multi-generational playground in one day

ALBURNETT - No way was Susanne Haehlen going to let some other community land her playground.

Haehlen's grown daughter, Dede Eschen, 43, for years had been raising money for a playground in Alburnett, a community north of Cedar Rapids that lacks public play space. So when the family caught wind of the Humana-sponsored “Build a Family Legacy” sweepstakes, they began applying.

The contest allowed entrants nationwide to apply every day during the application period for the $50,000 grand prize of a custom-designed playground in their neighborhood. The playground, aimed at promoting health and wellness, would be the 11th playground constructed through a joint effort of Humana Inc. and Kaboom, a national non-profit organization that has built more than 2,000 playgrounds.

Eschen, pushing for a playground for her two young daughters, entered 20 times. Her sister, Janna Dierks, 46, entered 10 times. Their 66-year-old mother, Haehlen, entered 75 times. And she won.

“This is huge,” Eschen said, explaining that a playground was in the long-term plans for Alburnett's Martin Sports Complex but wasn't scheduled for construction until after the softball, football and track facilities were built.

Eschen, whose girls are in second and third grade, decided that wouldn't do.

“They are the reason I started this,” she said. “The playground was so far down the road, my girls would have been done before it was built.”

On Saturday, as 35 Humana staff members joined forces with about 140 community volunteers to construct a playground equipped with slides, walking paths, fitness stations and a pirate ship, dozens of children looked on in anticipation.

“I'm gonna barge right over there,” said Parker Conklin, 7, who was waiting with other children who were not allowed near the playground until its completion.

They didn't have to wait long. The playground-building project was a one-day endeavor that started before 8:30 a.m. and ended with a ribbon cutting about 2 p.m.

The 2,500 square foot playground is multigenerational, meaning it offers amenities for all ages - from walking paths and stretching equipment for senior citizens to slides, monkey bars and the pirate ship-shaped play deck for children.

Workers spent Saturday shoveling mulch, digging holes, installing equipment, and pouring concrete. The children painted stone steps that would lead to the playground, decorated trash can lids and wrote thank you notes.

The effort was the largest community service event Alburnett has ever seen, said Meghann Payo, a project spokeswoman. In fact, considering that about 350 of the 600-some people who live in town are children, about half of the adults were helping in some facet.

“The people who are not here are going to feel left out,” Payo said.

Alburnett Mayor Dave Boesenberg, while installing stretch equipment at a fitness station, expressed his surprise at the tremendous turnout of community volunteers.

“This is the most people we've had turn out for anything,” he said, adding that the new playground will fill a huge need for children in town. “This is the only thing we have. There is no green space and no playground, so this is a big deal.”