Reconstruction of the playground equipment is underway at the Blanchester Municipal Building & Community Center, 318 E. Main St., Blanchester.

“This is our major project at the municipal building this year,” said Terry McCrone, director of the Blanchester Parks & Recreation.

McCrone said the present playground equipment will be refurbished and new equipment will be added. The playground will be “one of the most ADA accessible in the county,” he said.

Private donations have been made to cover more than half the cost of the project. Donations for the equipment included $10,000 from the First National Bank of Blanchester; $2,500 from Blanchester Fraternal Order of Eagles and $500 from the Allen Company.

Another project recently completed at the municipal building was the refinishing of the gymnasium floor. “Due primarily to safety concerns, the old bleachers were dismantled and removed,” McCrone said.

The bleachers have been replaced with a set of “tip and roll” bleachers which are portable and can be used by the village for other events. Plans are to purchase at least one more set of bleachers in 2008.

Another major project will take place at Veterans Memorial Park where a new concession building with ADA restroom facilities and attached shelters will be constructed. “We’ve already received private donations totaling roughly one-third of the expected cost and are optimistic we can begin the project in the near future,” McCrone said.

Major donors for the concession stand and restroom project include $3,500 from United Dairy Farmers; $2,500 from National Bank and Trust and $2,500 from National Cooperative Bank (NCB).

The board also hopes to pave the parking lot at Veterans Memorial Park in 2008, according to McCrone.

Last year was another busy and productive year for the Blanchester Parks and Recreation Department, McCrone said. “We were able to accomplish most of our goals for the improvements and projects by year’s end. In addition, we were able to lay the foundation for several major projects for 2008,”McCrone said.

The parks director said new backstop and baseline fencing was put in on field No. 2 which greatly enhanced not only the appearance, but, more importantly, the safety on that particular field. “We also stripped and rebuilt four sets of bleachers and have plans to repair others,” McCrone said. “We also had asphalt poured at the enrance and exit, along with a catch basin installed at the south entrance which should alleviate the severe water problems which have occurred in the past.”

McCrone said because of incidents involving vehicles crashing through the fence in front, the old playground equipment was removed from that area. “Due to a generous donation from the National Bank & Trust, we were able to purchase new equipment which will be placed in a different area in the park,” he said.

Twenty-nine teams played their games at Veterans Memorial Park in 2007, including five girls’ fast pitch teams; 14 boy’s knothole teams; two teams of Special Warriors, composed of special needs children, and eight teams competing in the men’s adult league.

Pee Wee football and the cheerleading squads also used the park for practice in the fall.

“In addition, the park hosted a variety of family outings, reunions and picnics throughout the year, and as always, the walking track was busy year-round,” McCrone said.

The Clinton County Waste Management also held its annual appliance pick up at the park.

“We again saw growth and support at our Park Board sponsored events,” McCrone said. “Our annual Easter event was held the Saturday before Easter. Despite flurries during three separate egg hunts, a surprisingly high number of bundled chldren and adults enjoyed gathering eggs and then visiting the cafeteria for refreshments, crafts and games.”

McCrone said the Easter bunny also made its annual appearance.

The Boo Bash Halloween event was held on beggar’s night. “Once again, we offered our fear-friendly maze for the squeamish and a scarier maze for those who enjoy a fright,” McCrone said.

Children and adults enjoyed the mazes, along with a variety of games, crafts, refreshments and candy. Attendance was again “too overwhelming” to estimate, the parks director said.

The final event for 2007 was the Breakfast With Santa held on Dec. 1. “This event has been incorporated into the village-wide day-long Hometown Holidays and kicks off the day’s events,” McCrone said.

The menu for the breakfast included pancakes, sausage, French toast sticks and biscuits and gravy, along with a variety of drinks. Santa visited with the children and heard their Christmas wishes. “This event also continues to grow,” McCrone said. “We received an abundance of canned goods and dry goods from people attending to help benefit the Glen Thompson Memorial Fund.”

Special thanks is also extended to the Blanchester High School FCCLA and other student volunteers for helping with and having a postive impact on 2007 events.

A Senior Social Hour is now held every month on the last Friday. The event is for senior citizens to enjoy coffee, refreshments, pastries and fruit and to socialize. Attending the social hour, which was the brain-child of Park Board member Tina Fischer, are between 30 and 40 seniors. “Kroger donates $50 every month for the social hour,” Fischer said.

“We also get numerous other donations for various activities throughout the year,” Fischer said.

Blanchester Parks and Recreation also is responsible for scheduling activities in the community room, auditorium and gymasium at the municipal building, McCrone said. “The gymnasium is in use nightly and weekends throughout the winter by various youth and adult groups, including basketball, softball, knothole and cheerleading, as well as for private parties,” he said. “The community room also is booked nearly every weekend for parties, meetings and other events by indivuduals and organizations.”

Plans for a busy 2008 is continuing. “The Park Board is excited about projects that are planned for 2008 and optimistically looks forward to their completion,” McCrone said. “We also believe 2008 will be a year of continued growth and look forward to woking for the community through providing safe and enjoyable activities for all.”

Anyone interested in making a donation for the playground equipment at the municipal building or the concession stand and restrooms at Veterans Memorial Park should contact Tina Fischer at 783-5290.