By Joseph Edgerton
Contributing Writer

SWINGING PLACE – An architectural rendering of Weare's proposed Bolton Memorial Park shows the area for children ages 2 to 5. Building is set for May 21, although the organizers are still trying to raise money for the playground. (Courtesy Illustration)

The inspiration behind the Weare town playground came from simple enough circumstances.

“Misty Oliphant, Kimberly Bergeron and myself were sitting around at a playgroup and we decided to build a playground,” said Lisa Wetherbee.

Their idea has since bloomed into a major undertaking.

“We started this past summer, said Wetherbee. “We originally needed $62,000, and we currently have $32,300.”

If all goes according to plan, the town of Weare might see Bolton Memorial Park completed soon.

Construction is planned for May 21, starting at 7 a.m. The 50 volunteers needed will be provided with meals, tools and other equipment necessary for the job.

Those unable to volunteer are still able to help. The latest effort is a brick fundraiser. Bricks will be sold for $50 each, and the purchaser may inscribe whatever they like on the bricks.

“They can write up to three lines, 16 characters a line, and the bricks will be used to build an entrance to the playground,” said Wetherbee.

Additional funding has been provided by many local businesses, among them Shaw's, which contributed $5,000, and Wal-Mart, which contributed $1,000.

We're going to have a sign nearby (the playground) with the names of all of the businesses who contributed,” Wetherbee said.

Steve Dibble of Childscape is the designer of the project. Dibble aided Wetherbee, Oliphant and Bergeron in picking out age-appropriate modules.

After consulting with Dibble, the three contacted the Weare Athletic Club and began the project.

The playground will be constructed at the Bolton Field Memorial complex off of Route 114.

It will consist of two sections: one area for children 2 to 5 and the other for children 5 to 12. The modules include swings, sand toys, slides, benches, a climbing wall and a large tarp to provide shade.

“The kids are really excited about going to the playground,” have sign said Wetherbee. “We have a newsletter at the school. The kids read it and do chores to raise money. It's great because it makes them a part of the project, too. They can look at it and say, That's our playground.

If construction is completed on May 21, the kids will be able to call the playground theirs by the following weekend.

For more information about helping the playground effort, email Lisa Wetherbee at playground@weareathleticclub.com, or call 529-1787.