Volunteers hold workday to prepare for new equipment

TRYON — A group of moms and their children have been working for two years to get a new playground at Harmon Field, and the fruits of their labor should be finished this week.

The Tryon Town Council met Monday and heard from Town Manager Zach Ollis about the new equipment. Harmon Field employees removed the old equipment last week, which was more than 20 years old.

Ollis said volunteers came out on Saturday to help repair holes and prepare the ground for the new equipment. The volunteers were from Fans of Harmon Field, the group established specifically to raise money for a new playground.

“We had volunteers come out Saturday to help repair some holes,” Ollis told the council. “We are looking at a target of finishing by Thursday.”

Ollis also said some overhang trees have been removed where the playground is going.

The equipment was scheduled to be delivered on Wednesday. PlayNation of WNC won the bid for the job and is installing the equipment.

Harmon Field contributed $50,000 for the equipment from money it discovered last year was owed to Harmon Field from the town. The Fans of Harmon Field was granted $20,000 from the Dallara Project for the playground, which will be used as well. Other money is coming from Fans of Harmon Field, which agreed to maintain the new playground, including providing  needed mulch and upkeep.

Henson’s Inc. is donating the first mulch after the new equipment is installed.

The total bid for the new equipment was approved at $70,207.

The new playground will include slides and activities for both younger and older children, Americans with Disabilities Act compliant swings, ride-on equipment, benches and an ADA-compliant merry-go-round.

An opening day of the new playground will be announced.