The new playground equipment is getting rave reviews. The playground includes an interactive multi-user disc swing and ADA swing seats.

Although the Metropolitan Park District is now the owner of all of this, no MPD funds were used to purchase it. The Metropolitan Park District, or MPD, wants to again thank the heroes of this accomplishment:

• Matt and Megan House, who were the catalysts for getting it done sooner rather than later.
• Jane and Stan Mack and Glenn Malin, who wrote various successful grant applications to Kingston Rotary, the Rotary District, and the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe.
• An army of Kingston Rotarians, Kiwanians, and neighbors who toted and raked the wood chips delivered in an awkward spot in the park.
• An anonymous $30,000 donor to Kingston Rotary toward playground funding.

There’s another feature to be added: a climber that will be a big hit. About $12,000 is still needed for it, and the grant writers are actively seeking sources. Meantime, the swings are fully actualized. For instance, parents of an autistic boy who was happily enjoying the ADA swing expressed joy that their son could now participate in a simple activity that had been off-limits to him.

The next momentous event will be resurfacing of the tennis courts. Your MPD commissioners budgeted for this important step to take place in 2014, and it looks like June will be the month. Stay tuned for details about exactly when and how long we’ll have to get by without the courts while the resurfacing and striping happens. For you pickle ball fans, there will be pickle ball lines when this work is done.

Finally, there’s plenty of opportunity for volunteers to lend a hand. One pressing need is at least weekly raking the chips around all of the playground equipment. If you want to help with that, please e-mail bobbie@myvillagegreen.org.

—Bobbie Moore is chairwoman of the Village Green Metropolitan Park District. Contact her at elliottmoore@comcast.net.