Cathy VanRisseghem: Taylor Chebet Twitchell Playground Project

Taylor Chebet Twitchell Playground

This was a huge project that hundreds of people from Little Falls and the surrounding area built from the ground up. We were absolutely thrilled when a former Little Falls resident, Paul Twitchell, contacted us to donate a $100,000 for a playground in memory of his infant daughter who died at birth. We were then excited to discover another Little Falls resident, Pat Faust, who was the president of the company (Landscape Structure) we choose to buy the playground equipment from. He donated several wonderful pieces to the project and provided staff to help with the build. Local contractors came forward, in their busy season, and donated hours of their time putting in water lines, moving soil, and preparing the site for the build (Eagle Construction). Other contractors dug over one hundred holes for the placement of equipment and lifted pieces that were over three hundred pounds and put them in place (Van's Construction and Brother Exteriors). Local businesses brought out food for the volunteers, water was delivered, refuse service was provided (Bob LeMieur Roll Off), and the volunteers kept coming. When one group was finished, another group was there to take their place – men, women, and children wanted to lend a helping hand in whatever way they could. The equipment was delivered to us free by a local trucking firm (Little Falls Drey) and each piece had to be put together – screw by screw. The final day of the “Community Build” involved placing donated edging (Landscape Structure) around the playground and laying four truckloads of donated mulch.

The playground was done for the kids and families of Little Falls and those who come to visit. It was an awesome experience and I am so proud of our community. They continually demonstrate that we can do anything if we set our hearts and minds to it. Little Falls has the greatest people in the world living here!

Pat Faust, President of Landscape Structures and Adam Fjeld, chairman of the Mayor's Youth Task Force looking over the playground design.

From Left to right, Mayor Cathy VanRisseghem, Paul Twitchell, Steve Twitchell and Adam Fjeld at the groundbreaking Ceremony.

Eagle Construction donated a day of labor to do the ground work.

Van's Construction (my sons) donated a day of labor to drill 100 holes for the placement of playground equipment

A few more holes to go.

Little Falls Dray hauled the playground equipment for free and delivered it to the site.

Volunteers unloading the truck. Skid steers were also donated

Chairman Adam Fjeld leads the charge to get the job done.

It all makes sense now that it's done.

Unpacking and sorting nuts, bolts, and many parts - Bryan Kosek was a huge asset to the installation.

The game plan and instructing the volunteers.

People of all ages help build the playground.

What pipe goes where?

Starting to fill the holes

Looks like it's coming together.

Eventually, those pipes were used - each piped weighed over 300 pounds and were placed in the holes with a skid steer teleboom donated by Van's Construction (my sons).

Working on one of the many slides

That's teamwork.

When we worked on the design for the playground we wanted pieces for younger and older children.

The large swing that even grandpa and grandma can sit on with their grandkids

Once again we have swings for younger and older children.

Teamwork was used a lot that day.

Coming together piece by piece.

Teleboom skid steer in action

This is the main structure for the large slides.

Starting to put the pieces on for the slides and climbing wall

Several levels and lots of manpower

Climbing wall going into place

Slides are being added along with the bridge that connects the pieces

Large slide is in place

Climbing wall is in place

All pieces are connected and we have a playground.

Two days and many volunteers built the playground, but it's not quite done yet.

The mulch has to be laid

Once again, the volunteers return to finish the job. Four semi trucks of mulch is dumped.

Moving dirt to even out the ground to place mulch.

Whoever showed up had a shovel or rake in hand.

The Taylor Chebet Twitchell sign is placed.

The mulch was a little overwhelming

The skid steer helped, a lot.

Showing my grandkids what the playground will look like when we get done.

Shovel and wheel barrels worked to move that mulch - my grandson.

That's what you call mountains of mulch. My grandchildren with shovel in hand trying to move those mountains.

My two sons putting in the spinner

My daughter washing cement off the pieces before mulching

It's finished! Yay and it's beautiful .

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony - Senator Paul Gazelka on the right hand side, Senator Gazelka helped us obtain the land from MNDOT for $10 for the park, Pat Faust, president of Landscape Structures donated many pieces of playground equipment, the Twitchell family donated $100,000 for the playground, Adam Fjeld committee chair, Leeann Doucette, City Council, and myself.