‘Phase Two’ work begins at Tower Park Playground in Keysville

By April Hall, Staff Writer

Keysville’s Tower Park Playground was the recent recipient of a $15,000 donation from the Shentel Corporation for its 2015 Philanthropic Projects. As part of the donation, the first phase began back in October of 2015 with the delivery and spreading of mulch and trimming of trees.

Beginning last week, phase two of the project began. The renewal process involved cleaning the equipment, repainting metal components and recoating the rubber coated areas. During the process, workers also went above and beyond, noticing some loose rockers and proceeded to disassemble, tighten and reinstall them, and even though these were not in the scope of work, they saw the need and corrected it for the safety of all the children who enjoy the park on a daily basis.

Tower Park Playground was the dream of Rhonda Benn and three other local women, Beverly Kunath, Sharon Layne and Paula Robbins. The four women, three moms and one aunt, kept running into each other at other county playgrounds and they formed a bond and decided Charlotte County needed a playground. The fund-raising began, and in June 2002, Phase 1 of the park opened. That in turn enabled them to qualify for a matching grant and a year later, Phase 2 was built. The women were thrilled at watching their vision unfold.

Phase two will continue in the upcoming weeks with the resurfacing of the picnic tables and the decking. A new piece of equipment in the near future will complete the final phase of work afforded by the generous donation of the Shentel Corporation.