My family and I are so thrilled the Pumpkin Patch Re-Grow effort is underway to restore and enhance the Pumpkin Patch playground atop Signal Mountain. Over three years of planning and fundraising effort is being put to action through much needed repairs, landscaping, erosion control, and exciting new features.
Both my wife's parents and mine assisted in the original construction of the playground almost 20 years ago. What struck me as a child at that time, was not the ability to raise funds, which was a huge community effort, but rather the energy, enthusiasm, and volunteer support the whole community had toward the construction of the playground.
The construction phase was an enormous collaboration of local businesses, organizations, parents, friends, neighbors and volunteers all united together around enriching the lives of the children on the mountain.
While the efforts of some should be highly recognized and accomplishments well appreciated, the failed opportunity to bring Walden and Signal Mountain residents together to serve together as one is lost.
We all thank the suppliers and contractors for their exceptional work and discounted services, but imagine, not a few contract companies, rather hundreds of excited and engaged community members all drilling, hammering, sawing, and constructing the next generation's memories. A united community all working together raising funds and building a promising future for our kids and community.
Today, in the political climate we live, collaboration and shared purpose has never been more needed and the Pumpkin Patch playground is the perfect opportunity to deliver this. I know I do not speak alone when I say something feels missed by not supporting the repairs with our own community sweat, fellowship, and childlike creativity.
John Barlew