FORT McCOY, Wis. -- Youth in the Fort McCoy Child, Youth and School (CYS) Services program could barely wait until the ribbon-cutting and opening remarks for the new Boundless Playground at the Pine View Campground were complete before they raced into the new facility.
Everyone smiled with pleasure as the youth quickly tried out all the new equipment in the $250,000 complex. Fort McCoy Garrison Commander Col. David E. Chesser, who presided over the opening festivities, recounted how the project took five years to come to fruition.
“We finally got the money approved last year,” Chesser said. “The facility will serve all youth, and will be handicapped accessible.”
The facility is a good addition to the installation’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation offerings, he said.
“The welcome sign ‘U.S. Army " Keeping the Promise’ at the facility is a reflection of what it’s all about,” Chesser said. “This is a good example of the Army Family Covenant and keeping our promise to improve the quality of life for our Soldiers, Families and members of the work force.”
Becky Wapp Sawyer, Fort McCoy Army Community Service director, said it was a fantastic day to see the facility open and to see all the youth using it.
The equipment includes color-coded, age-specific activities that cater to youth in the age groups of 0-2, 2-5 and 5-12, and anyone else who would want to use it, Sawyer said. Pine View is open to the Fort McCoy community and the public.
“It’s in a good spot for everyone to use " near the beach and swimming area, the Campground Office and the other recreational areas,” she said.
Dyan Zepeda, a teacher for the Fort McCoy School Age Center, said the equipment will be good for both the CYS Services program and for any other Families who have children with special needs.
“The youth are really excited to use this,” Zepeda said. “We take a number of field trips during the Summer Camp program, which is in progress, and we will be coming out here at least once a week during the camp.”
It’s a very safe area to play on with a special, cushioned foundation that is great for the youth to run and be active on, she said. The facility also includes shade-providing structures to allow youth to play on hot day.
Pine View staff also welcomed the facility because it will help attract and serve patrons who use the area. The playground will be open year-round on a 24-7 basis.
The facility also supports the Family Focus Program. Registered Families attending the ribbon-cutting received 100 Franks.
The prime contractor for the facility was the Miracle Recreation Equipment Company of Monett, Mo. The subcontractors were Webber Recreational Design Inc., of Hastings, Minn., which installed the playground equipment, and Team Reil Inc., of Union, Ill., which installed the rubber base.
For more information about the Boundless Playground, call Army Community Service at 608-388-3505 or Pine View to check operating hours at 608-388-3517.
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