At the time, I was working in the field and I remember wondering how we were going to replace any items that we had to remove and how our visitors would react when they noticed something was missing.    

A number of parks were very fortunate and received new playscapes. But in difficult budget times, when only 5% of infrastructure replacement/repair needs can be funded each year, replacing play equipment is virtually impossible when there's a greater need to replace buildings, water wells, roads etc. 

In 2005, at Wells State Park , a few users noticed the lack of play equipment and decided to do something about it. A group of six couples met with the park manager in July to discuss raising funds for new play equipment. For their first fund-raiser, the group sold crocheted hats at the camp host site for $3.

Then, one of the husbands, Richard Varney, went to a local lumber company and was able to get donated scrap lumber for the creation of bird house kits. The park had a "Build a Bird House" event. The kits were sold for $3. The community got behind the idea and held a spaghetti dinner. The birdhouses were being sold at garage sales, beauty shops, dentist offices and various retail locations. All the money went to the playground fund.

The group also sold craft items at the camp host site; they sold ice cream, penny bubble gum and glow sticks. 

Next, they applied for and received permission from the state of Michigan to hold a raffle. They purchased an all-terrain vehicle for the first prize. A handcrafted cedar chest and a donated dirt bike were the second and third prizes.

They also created and published a cookbook, "Cooking up a Playground," which quickly sold out at $8 per copy.

Barbara Varney applied for several grants. Although she had never filled out a grant application before, the group received $4,200 in grants from the M&M Foundation (Youth Group), The Chet Kons Foundation (through the Marinette Lions Club), The Community Foundation of the U.P. and the Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.

As a result of all these efforts, Wells State Park will start building its new playground this year. The original goal after their first meeting the park manager was $36,500.

This group raised $45,000. A very special thanks goes to Jerry and Elaine Hoduski (Elaine passed away 9-20-2007), Richard and Barbara Varney, Lee and Lisa Lemke, Shawn and Lisa Fernstrum, Steve and Chris Burline, Bill and Marilyn Hardina, Carl and Peggy Granquist and Mark and Debbie Mileski.

The new playground will be built between the day-use area and the campground so all visitors to the park will have access to the hard-working results of a wonderful group of friends for Wells State Park.

In another act of great charity, a visitor (who wishes to remain anonymous) to Pinckney Recreation Area has donated more than $18,000 for a playground at the Bruin Lake Campground. Plans are underway to build it this year. 

Many, many thanks to all for the hard work and commitment that you have to support Michigan State Parks.