Thanks to the initiative of members from the 2012 Leadership Brevard Class, SCEIC has a new and improved playground for students and the community to enjoy! The “Project: Make a Difference” campaign began with acquiring donations to cover the expense of upgrading the playground from wood mulch to safer recycled rubber mulch. The project would require a massive 26 tons of rubber mulch, over 50 volunteers, several heavy equipment vehicles and dozens of shovels, rakes, buckets and wheelbarrows!
The original plan was to replace the mulch on the north side of our playground. By Saturday afternoon, head project engineer, Dan Howick of Danella Corp, began to suspect there would be enough rubber mulch to cover the south playground as well. By noon on Sunday, the team was well on their way to replacing the entire 15,000 square foot playground with the new rubber mulch!
This project is significant because it reduces the long term repeated expenses of replacing wood mulch. Rubber mulch lasts for 10 years and does not degrade or blow
away like regular wood mulch. In addition, rubber mulch provides the best protection possible protection against falls which reduces the chance of injury on the playground. Unlike wood mulch, rubber mulch minimizes dust and allergens, does not scratch or splinter and will not attract insects. Plus, rubber mulch is ADA approved, making the entire surface wheelchair accessible!
SCEIC thanks the many volunteers and sponsors who made this project possible. You have truly made a difference that will last for many years to come. The new surface will be enjoyed by hundreds of children in our community!
Members of the “Project – Make A Difference” team consists of: Steven Audino, Marvin Ferrell, Matt Gifford, Dan Howick, Darby Koller, Tim Pirlo, Melissa Romero and Chris Sorensen. These team members reflect the diverse business participation in Leadership Brevard from various partners like Danella Construction, Sorensen Allied Moving & Storage, Luke & Associates, Wells Fargo Advisors; and other entities such as AMI Kids, 98.5 FM The Beach, and NASA. Special thanks to Liberty Tire for donating an additional 3 tons of mulch, making it possible to replace all the mulch on the playground.
