Playground Update New outdoor facilities for children are well on track


As Tidings goes to press, church leaders are awaiting the final signature of approval from Allentown’s building inspector to proceed with construction of a new playground to serve toddlers through tweens on the FPCA campus.


When Tidings covered this initiative in March–April 2017, the church had received donations of about $25,000 toward design, planning, equipment, and construction for the project—about half of the projected need.


Since that time, the FPCA community has stepped up and provided funding for the entire project, a total of about $62,000. Tanks to the generosity and dedication of church members and friends, the playground can be funded as intended—without drawing on the regular church budget or operating/maintenance reserves.


As of late June, the money had been raised, the site plan had been laid out, and the playground’s equipment had been manufactured and delivered to installers. Once the church receives building-inspector approval, construction is planned to follow immediately and should take about two weeks. Dedication of the playground will follow soon after installers complete their work.


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Te playground initiative arose due to the unsafe condition of previous playground equipment and a conviction on the part of church leadership that a bright, inviting play area sends a message to the local community that “Jesus loves kids”—and that Jesus’ love is expressed with fervor at First Presbyterian Church of Allentown.


Te project proceeded after discussion in Session and explanation of the proposal to the congregation at the annual meeting in January.


Designs were drawn up with generous support from playground equipment manufacturer Little Tikes, which offered to assemble a playset with a 20-year warranty at a substantial discount.


Te initial hope was to construct a playground appropriate for ages 2 to 5, which would cater to First Presbyterian’s preschool program as well as other children. Tat vision expanded to include an older-children’s area for young people ages 5 to 12.


With hopes that construction will soon be under way, the church continues looking forward to having a fun and safe outdoor space that children from our congregation and the community will enjoy.


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