A ribbon is being cut next week at one of Wayne County’s new playgrounds.
East Germantown, also known as Pershing, is celebrating its new playground at 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 15. The public is invited to attend.
“We are excited to celebrate with all our neighbors,” said Sheila Mills, who helped champion the fundraising campaign.
The playground is next to the Wayne Bank Boys & Girls Club of Wayne County, 519 Queen St., which formerly was the Western Wayne Schools administration building. It’s just north of U.S. 40 and just west of the town’s stoplight.
East Germantown’s colorful playground equipment, on nearly 3,000 square feet of newly surfaced playing space, will allow kids to climb, slide and swing. Other additions include two basketball goals and resurfacing the existing basketball court.
The renovated facilities offer an incentive for all Wayne County residents to get out and explore other corners of the county where no admission fees are charged, and potentially make new acquaintances too.
Raising approximately $105,000 for East Germantown’s project has been a countywide and state effort.
Wayne County’s Economic Development Corp. and Wayne County Foundation each contributed $10,000, and $5,000 gifts came from Western Wayne Affordable Housing, SugarCreek Packing and Reid Health. Many other gifts from residents, businesses and groups ranged from $15 to $2,500.
Indiana Housing & Community Development Authority provided a $50,000 match.
New playgrounds also are being added later this year in Milton, Economy, Dublin and Cambridge City.
A version of this article appeared in the August 7 2024 print edition of the Western Wayne News.