The playground at Bristol Park in Turlock, Calif. is roughly 20 years old, in major need of a facelift and some TLC. Sadly, in today’s economy, community projects like renovating an aging park can get put in the backburner due to budget cuts. To the rescue came unlikely heroes: the California Milk Processor Board (CMPB), the creator of GOT MILK?, and Turlock-based Sunnyside Farms.
GOT MILK? and Sunnyside Farms are donating a new playground that would make neighboring cities “green” with envy. To demonstrate their support for healthy, strong families and green projects, more than 41,000 milk jugs were recycled to create a new state-of-the art, environmentally friendly children’s playground at Bristol Park.
“We want to create a network of healthy and active families,” says Steve James, executive director of the CMPB. “Through this playground project, we are promoting the importance of outdoor physical activity and encouraging green living.”
Earlier this year, GOT MILK? committed to build environmentally friendly playgrounds with local milk processors in California. Sunnyside Farms was the first to collaborate with GOT MILK? on the project. Officials with the city of Turlock say the unexpected gift came at the right time.
“Funding for revamping parks is scarce, nonexistent nowadays, because other city projects take greater priority,” says Mayor John Lazar. “We thank GOT MILK? and Sunnyside Farms for putting their money where their mouth is and for going into neighborhoods to build much-needed outdoor recreation.”
The tan-and-green colored playground at Bristol Park was designed by Progressive Design Playgrounds (PD Play), which encompasses a 47 foot by 39 foot area and comes fully equipped with slides, swings, monkey bars and climbing equipment. It is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Because the play structure is a community-oriented project meant to create goodwill, the city of Turlock and Sunnyside Farms are inviting residents to come together from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday, July 16, to roll up their sleeves and help put the finishing touches in the new park. Volunteers who attend will be treated to GOT MILK? gifts and a free BBQ lunch. A ribbon cutting ceremony will take place at 4 p.m.
The recycled play structure replaces the old Bristol Park playground, one of the oldest in the city, at 2500 Castleview Drive, Turlock, Calif.
“This is our way of giving back to a community that’s been good to us,” says Scott DeAraujo of Sunnyside Farms. “We are helping build a playground in our backyard, which will hopefully serve to build strong, healthier families.”