It was not easy.
It took a couple of years of planning, hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations, and a head-spinning week of hands-on work, by hundreds of volunteers.
But the rebuilt Compo Beach playground is a reality.
And now — as they have since it was first constructed (by volunteers) in 1989 — many generations of kids will play, run, jump, swing, dream, and simply have a ton of fun, in this very cool space.
Negin Janati (front) and Play by Design employee Hugh. (Photo/Kim Cooper)
Congratulations to all who helped make it possible.
This list is extensive. Apologies if we’ve left any one, or any group, out. You’re all Unsung Heroes!
Mark Owades and grandson Cooper Sterling. (Photo/Rowene Weems)
Lead sponsors: Westport Rotary Club, Westport Young Woman’s League
Co-chairs: Bridget Flynn and Samantha Owades
Core committee (2+ years on the project): Mike Bennett, RB Benson, Rick Benson, Alex Cohen, Andrew Colabella, Samantha Chertoff, Stacie Curran, Rob Decosimo, Chelsea Elkin, Lauren Felsenstein Bonifacius, Deep Gill, Erin Hall, Shauna Mahesh, Erin Spillman, Chloe Steinberg, Maddy Travers, Chloe Zale.
Site lead: RB Benson
Jim and Mike Bennett. Mike was this years’ tool lead. His father Jim led the 1989 effort. (Photo/Kim Cooper)
Kidzone: Baked by Bri, Crafty Kids, Sara Holland, The Scouts, Westport Academy of Dance, The Children’s Community Development Center.
Builders who sent crews: Bluewater, O’Dell Group, R.B. Benson & Co., Harmony Design Build, Westport Woodworking. In addition, Interstate Lumber and Conte Construction provided materials and tools.
Build week food:
- AMG Catering
- Arden’s Rowayton
- Bartaco
- Blind Rhino
- Blue & Berries
- Costco
- GG & Joe’s
- Granola Bar
- Greenwich Hospitality/La Plage
- Haven Hot Chicken
- Hometown Deli
- Hook’d
- Kneads
- Leventhal Bakery
- Little Kitchen of Westport
- Lyfe Café/Pizza Lyfe
- Meal Joy Foods
- Nômade
- Nuts.com
- Old Mill Grocery & Deli by Romanacci’s
- Planet Pizza Norwalk
- Pop-up Bagels
- Proof Pizza Truck
- Riko’s
- Rizzuto’s
- Sea Salt Baking Company
- Stew Leonard’s
- Stylish Spoon Bakery
- The Blondinit
- The Bridge at Saugatuck
- The Clubhouse
- The Cottage
- The Pantry
- Trader Joe’s
And of course all who donated time, talent and energy during the crazy, frenetic, fun, fulfilling and rewarding 6 days of building. The playground would not have been completed without you!
The picnic table construction crew: Joe, Mary, Cindy, Nancy, Brittany and Magdalena. (Photo courtesy of Nancy Axthelm)
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An outstanding example of what people can do if they work together. In the tradition of a New England barn raising.
Thanks to all who made this possible.
Proud of us as a community for coming together and accomplishing this feat!
It was a true pleasure to be part of this meaningful and memorable community effort. The original playground was built when I was three years old and I have vivid memories playing there. I now have a three-year-old daughter and five-year-old son who will enjoy this beautiful space for years to come. How lucky are we?