If it takes a village to raise a child, what does it take to build the children a new playground?

On Saturday, the community is invited to gather at Forest Road School in La Grange Park for a ribbon cutting ceremony to dedicate the school’s new playground, bought and paid for by a diverse group of parents who worked for a year to make it happen.

From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., visitors and supporters will gather to see how the $63,000 they raised transformed the playground.

It began in June 2007 when school parents decided to take it upon themselves to raise funds and modernize the playground. Forest Road School parent Paul Brizz spearheaded the group.
Parents then went to work organizing fundraising events.

The Book-It fundraiser called upon students to solicit pledges for summertime reading. Those who raised the most funds won an iPod shuffle.

Then the Flying High Gym Nights fundraiser borrowed from the school community’s belief in “active kids, active minds,” Brizz said.

Finally, a silent auction of items donated by businesses in the community was held. The event took in more than half of the total funds raised.

Some of the biggest contributors were Joe Rizza Auto, Agne Asset Management, J.E. McCarthy & Associates and Specialty Print.

Volunteers with the right business sense and experience began the shopping process for purchasing the equipment. The goal was to raise $50,000 throughout a two-year period.

“Within about 10 to 11 months we were able to raise the total amount, $63,000,” Brizz said. “It was a great testament to the community as to how it got behind the initiative.”

The new equipment is complimented by new blacktop that had been budgeted this year for the playground. Forest Road Principal Becky Russow said the addition of flower boxes around the playground area has dressed up the area nicely.

Russow said the project served to bring the school community closer together and drew in more participation from fathers.

“I think what’s unusual for most parent groups is this group had a very large portion of the fathers involved, not only in the fundraising but the selecting of the equipment,” Russow said. “We had a two-year goal, and we did it in less than a year.”

Russow said the effort brought to light the real character of the town.

“We have a very nice community,”  she said. “I feel like it’s always been a community that works well together.”

Brizz credited the success of the project to a lot of people who came together as one for a common goal.

“For me it has been a rewarding experience to see the community come together,” he said. “This playground contributes to the health and vitality of the community, whether you have children at Forest Road School or not.”

Russow echoed the sentiments.

“Our playground is open to and going to be nice for everyone in the community, not just those in school,” Russow said.