Wesley's Playground gets a big push from volunteers

Volunteers are putting together the first phase of a new playground in Franklin.

It will be the safest one in Western North Carolina, say playground promoters.

The $300,000 facility at Big Bear Park on the Little Tennessee River Greenway will be dedicated to Wesley Powell, a two-year old who died in a daycare center fire July 1999.

Bill Greig and Mildred Greig put together a slide at the Wesley Powell Playground at Big Bear Shelter.

"It is finally a reality," beamed Yvonne Bryson, who has worked on plans for the playground for more than two years.

She also called the reality semisweet.

On a hill to the left of the playground sits the charred remains of the daycare center where Powell died.

On a hill on the right, sits Powell's family home.

The playground sits in a valley in the middle.

Bryson says celebrating the tragedy by bringing something good to the community makes the efforts worthwhile.

"What better way to celebrate a child's life than to build a playground?" she asks.

A grand opening for the first phase, the toddler section, will be held May 8, at the Big Bear Park off West Main Street.

Playground promoters are still raising money for the second phase, which will boast a water feature and a yellow brick road, among other toys, for older kids.

Retirees from Duke Power put together the toddler section last weekend, adjusting everything from slides, swings, crawling tubes, bouncy frogs and climbing things

A rubberized mat will be poured this week over the concrete base to cushion kids' falls.

Playground promoters encourage parents to stay with their children while they play, adding "it is not a babysitting facility."

The playground is handicap accessible and features handicap swings for children with disabilities.

The playground is comprised of modular components manufactured by the Missouri-based Miracle Recreation Equipment Company.

The colors of the equipment are tan, brick red and hunter green.

Playground promoters said they chose the colors to blend with the Greenway's natural landscape.

"It has absolutely consumed so many of our lives. It's nice to see a dream become a reality."

To contribute to the playground, donations can be made to the Friends of the Greenway, known as FROGs.

Friends of the Greenway, 23 Macon Ave. Our contact is frogs@LittleTennesse.org or 369-7331.