Allendale holds new playground ribbon cutting, Cardboard Boat Regatta
The Allendale playground is open!
After a year of planning, fundraising and volunteer labor, Allendale Association recently held the grand opening of its shiny new playground, complete with ribbon cutting ceremony. Allendale children then continued the celebration by holding their annual cardboard boat regatta, with an assist from the Lake Villa police department.
"It was such a great day for the kids," said Jason Keeler, president/CEO of The Allendale Association. "Simple, active play is so healing for children recovering from trauma - and the new playground is already a huge hit."
The initiative started last summer, when Keurig Dr Pepper and the national nonprofit KaBOOM! awarded Allendale a playground grant, swayed in part by a video created by students. Allendale donors - corporations, foundations, and individuals - contributed the remaining funds.
The goal: replace old, weather-beaten play equipment that was 40-years old and rarely used.
Students collaborated with the playground designer, Play Illinois, to choose the most appealing equipment. Last spring, a small army of Allendale employees and volunteers - including teams from Allstate, Aon and Kohl's - gathered to put the equipment together.
Some of those volunteers attended the ribbon cutting, which featured balloon décor by balloon artist Holly Nagel and an ice cream truck sponsored by Fill-A-Heart 4 Kids, a children's charity in Lake Forest.
Later that day, students and staff gathered on the shores of Cedar Lake for the annual cardboard boat race. Coordinated by Allendale's Therapeutic Recreation team, the much-anticipated event was weeks in the making.
Local businesses contributed supplies (Uline supplied cardboard; Carpet Castle unused carpet rolls). Staff cleared local hardware stores out of duct tape. Meanwhile, the kids worked on their boats as well as their paddling skills.
Along with Allendale staff, Lake Villa police officers not only helped the aspiring sailors build and paint their boats, but accompanied the short-lived vessels into the lake. Awards were bestowed for the longest-lasting and unique boats, as well as the most Titanic sinking.
"We're grateful to the community, and especially Lake Villa P.D., for partnering with us on behalf of the kids," Keeler said. "They're making a difference in children's lives."
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