Volunteer spirit invades Kirkland AFB - Military Recreation - Brief Article

Parks & Recreation, Dec, 1997 by Stan Garcia

Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is the second largest base in the United States, comprising 85 square miles and more than 2,000 family housing units and 1,800 children between the ages of 1 and 13. Over the past few years, a number of projects have been underway to enhance the quality of family life on the base. This work has included a variety of projects -- from parks and playgrounds to bus stops, sidewalks, and childcare centers. There is a large civilian population that also has access to base facilities on a regular basis, creating a constant need for upgrading and improvement.

With the large number of young children on the base, there was a need for two modern play structures on the base, one at the East Officer's Club and one at Bicentennial Park. Both areas support a lot of family activities throughout the year; continuous play structures offer children an outlet for creative play and physical, social- and motor-skill development.

Developing Ownership

In order to make sure the play structures met everyone's needs and would be appreciated by all the base families, a cooperative was formed early in the process. Volunteers were enlisted from various base organizations to help with the construction. Everyone, from the base commander to the children, was involved. The group's feeling was that if everyone had an ownership stake in the project, it would mean more to them, and they would use it and take care of it.

By using volunteer construction, the group was able to save a lot of cost. But, it also meant finding a vendor who was willing to work with volunteer labor. The group began by asking 10 vendors to send information on their products; this information was then evaluated on a technical basis. Based on that initial screening, four vendors were asked to make presentations.

Making the Right Choice

There were a few members of the cooperative who wanted a traditional wood play structure, but because of the area's wide temperature and humidity variations, one of the selection criterion was the need for low-maintenance equipment. In addition, all of the equipment had to meet national safety codes and federal and state regulations for handicap accessibility. The group also wanted a play structure that incorporated a high percentage of recycled plastic, aluminum and steel in its construction. This request made good environmental sense, demonstrated the practicality of recycling, and sent a positive message to all the children and adults who came into contact with the play structures.

Another important factor was color. Modern play structures are known for their bright color schemes. However, everyone in the group agreed that it was important to have the structures harmonize with the tan, green and brown colors used on the base. The vendor that was eventually selected offered a compatible color scheme, right down to the brown color of the safety surfacing made from recycled tires.

Building a Sense of Community

The local equipment vendor was experienced with volunteer-installed play structures, and they provided the on-site supervision that made the process go smoothly. Once the basic preparation was done, the actual installation of the structures took only one day each. And, when it was all complete, the volunteers, the parents and the children all knew they had worked together to build a better community.