I’m A Clubwoman

The Big, Red Slide!

by christy on 02/11/09 at 1:04 pm

Flying down the big red slide.

As soon as our brown, Aerostar minivan pulled to a stop in the parking lot, seat-belts flew off and four kids bolted out of the van and across the playground. It was a race to see which one of us could get to the top of the Rocket Slide first. Then, only the bravest ones flew down the Big, Red Slide!

I can’t count the number of hours of my childhood I spent at that park – playing hide-n-seek, tag, make believe. There were numerous birthday parties, barbeques, and Fourth of Julys celebrated there. And when it was time to go home – someone always cried. I’m sure you have a similar place in your community, some place that takes you back to childhood instantly.

In the community of Bismarck, Illinois, that place is the Lion’s Club Park. Many of the women in our club remember the excitement of the playground equipment being installed – over 30 years ago! The park is home to Fourth of July celebrations and baseball tournaments. It is THE place to be on a warm summer evening.

Through several decades of wear, the community park fell into some disrepair. The Bismarck Women’s Club, with the support from our local Lion’s, decided to repaint, repair, and go about the job of raising money for new, state-of-the-art, fully accessible playground equipment. I hope to continue to share this adventure with you as well as photos of our progress.

Unil next time . . . I’d love to hear stories of where you played as a child. Please share in the comment section below.

Images courtesy of: George Campbell, a visitor to the Cedar River Exchange Park in Waterloo, Iowa rocket slide in 1974 and the Highland Park Business Club, in Des Moines, Iowa.