For more information

Call Polly Boudreaux at 504-554-7134

St. Bernard Parish Government
8201 West Judge Perez Drive
Chalmette, Louisiana 70043

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 15, 2008

ST. BERNARD COMMUNITY PLAYGROUND GRAND OPENING

SUNDAY, MAY 18 AT 4 P.M.

The St. Bernard Community Playground located in Torres Park in Chalmette will celebrate its second grand opening on Sunday, May 18, at 4 p.m. with cake, ice cream and balloons. Radio Disney WBYU 1450AM will provide music and prizes for this special event.

Repairs and restoration efforts are drawing to a close following major damage caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and an arsonist's fire on January 1, 2008.

The playground held its first grand opening in 2003 thanks to the efforts of approximately 1,000 local community volunteers.  The recent re-build effort April 8-13 drew more than 1,800 volunteers from around the world, the nation and the metro area as well as many "second time" St. Bernard volunteers.

The newly restored "community built" playground and amphitheatre boasts 14,000 square feet of interactive accessible play spaces including a fairy tale castle, a tree house, boats, swings, a hurricane slide, a rock wall, local artwork, over 1,600 personalized pickets and a 250-seat amphitheatre with a covered stage in a beautifully landscaped setting.

The grand opening is being organized by the Community Playground Project thanks to the generosity of many local donors to the re-build effort. All who participated in the re-build are especially invited to attend the opening ceremonies.

As we anticipate the official opening of the playground please note the following RULES:

• NO FOOD, DRINKS OR ANIMALS ARE PERMITTED IN THE PLAYGROUND.
• SKATEBOARDING IS PROHIBITED IN THE PLAYGROUND AND ON THE STAGE.
• SMOKING IS PROHIBITED IN THE PLAYGROUND AND IN THE AMPHITHEATRE.
• THE PLAYGROUND IS CLOSED BETWEEN DUSK AND DAWN EACH DAY.

Anyone witnessing a violation of these rules should notify the Recreation Department during the work day and the Sheriff's Office at all other times.  (Rules and contact numbers will soon be posted at the playground entrance.)

Remember this playground belongs to our community and it must be cared for and maintained by our community...not a department or agency!  Please pick up trash in and around the area and remind anyone violating our simple rules to respect the many hours of hard work by so many generous volunteers.

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