Hampshire's Seyller Park could get new firetruck-themed playground next year

Hampshire residents could see a new firetruck-themed playground go up in Ralph Seyller Memorial Park next year if public entities can raise the funds for equipment.

The Hampshire Township Park District is looking to purchase $15,000 worth of equipment for a playground that would be designed primarily for children 2 to 5, Executive Director Laura Schraw said.

Fundraising efforts, led by the nonprofit Hampshire Park District Foundation, will continue until next May, she said.

The proposed playground will be modeled entirely after the Hampshire Fire Protection District firetrucks, down to the appropriate colors. The district's logo will be featured on the equipment.

"We thought a firetruck would be pretty cool and would allow kids to be imaginative," Schraw said. "Kids can be a little more creative with something like that."

In honor of its 85th anniversary next year, the fire protection district will also add a memorial, funded entirely by donations, near that playground, said Fire Chief Bill Robinson, though the details haven't been ironed out.

"Instead of just putting some off-the-shelf equipment back there, it'll all be fashioned after local fire services," Robinson said. "That's kind of a nice theme for a park."

The playground will be installed next to the park district's Little People Playtime Preschool and Day Care on the north end of Seyller Park, 400 E. Jefferson St.

The hope, Schraw said, is that both students at the preschool and residents of the surrounding neighborhoods will be able to easily access an age-appropriate playground.

It will also give kids another option when a larger playground that sits at the west side of Seyller Park will be taken down in 2017 due to worn equipment, Schraw said.

"This new playground kind of has a dual purpose," she said.

To raise money, Little People Playtime will sell candles and cookbooks later this year. Next spring, a drawdown fundraiser will be organized as a "final push," she said. Donations to the foundation are also being accepted anytime.

"I'm hoping we can get it done," Schraw said. "As the community gets behind us, that will be really helpful."