Frequently Asked Questions
- What is beGINN Again!?
This project is a collaborative vision among the Winchester Neighbors Club and Winchester residents who share a common goal — to rebuild and redesign the playground at Ginn Field to make it be the best park in town. The playground at Ginn Field is the wooden playground behind the softball fields off of Bacon Street in Winchester, MA.
Besides having a safe, creative and fun park for people of all ages, we want a central playground that best represents everything Winchester has to offer to residents and visitors. This volunteer-based project is privately funded with an estimated cost of approximately $300,000.
2. Will the bricks down at the current playground be used again in the newly designed playground?
We will incorporate the engraved bricks currently used in the walkway at GINN Playground into the newly designed playground. Please note we are using engraved bricks as part of the current fundraising initiative for a new GINN Playground and would certainly appreciate the support of past donors.
3. What is the status of the project and what is the timeline for completion?
The GINN Playground Restoration Project (BeGINN Again)received approval to begin fundraising and designing a new GINN Playground from the Winchester Board of Selectman in August of 2009. The BeGINN Again committee selected O’Brien and Sons as its Playground Designer and retained Andrew Leonard to serve as the playground’s landscape architect. Fundraising efforts officially began in mid September of 2009. Our goal is to have a new playground by Fall of 2011.
4. Will the town repave the road down to GINN?
We are not sure when the road to GINN Playground will be repaved. The town’s river widening project will impact the timing regarding repaving the road. Since the area around GINN playground may be used as a staging area for that project’s equipment the town does not anticipate repaving the road before the river widening project is completed.
5. Will the town maintain the playground once it is finished?
While we can’t speak for the town, we can speak for the volunteers on this project. Given all of the time, energy and resources that the volunteers have given to this playground effort, we will make sure our voices are heard regarding maintenance of this playground.
6. What are your plans if you do not reach your fundraising goal?
We are confident we will reach our fundraising goal of $316,000, however we can make adjustments to the design to reduce the cost and still get a great playground..
7. Why does the playground cost so much?
Most of the projected cost of the playground (2/3) will be spent on site preparation, landscaping (creating new retaining walls ;etc) and regrading the area around the river to prepare that area for new playground equipment and to be in compliance with new conservation requirements. Unlike at a school, we are not just replacing an existing structure with new equipment. There are many other factors that need to be addressed given the location near the river and the fact that the underlying play surface has not been touched in over 22 years. Unfortunately given that there is very little open space in downtown Winchester, especially open space with parking, there was no other location for an in-town playground.
8. How can I get involved?
The playground needs to be 100% privately funded and volunteer-based so there are a number of ways for residents and businesses to get involved. Our #1 goal is fundraising! Our print marketing campaign launched in September 2009 to educate everyone on our efforts. We also created a Facebook page to build an online community so we can reach out with updates and opportunities. In addition to financial support, we’ll need volunteers with an interest or background in business development, marketing/PR, fundraising, finance, grant writing and a few other areas as the project progresses. We are thrilled to have people of all ages and backgrounds join our efforts to rebuild Ginn Playground.
9. How can I donate money?
The project has been approved by the Board of Selectmen and we can accept funds via PayPal on the www.beGINNagain.com website. If you would prefer to mail a check, please make the check out to WNC-GINN Playground Restoration Fund and mail it to :
WNC-Ginn Playground Restoration Fund
P.O. Box 245
Winchester, MA 01890
10. Are donations tax deductible?
Since the sponsor of the project, the Winchester Neighbors Club is a non-profit 501 (c) (3), all donations are tax deductible. If you make a donation, you will receive a form acknowledging your contribution to the project which you can use for tax purposes.
11. Where can I get more information and updates on this project?
Continue to visit the www.beGINNagain.com website for more information or join the BeGINN Again Facebook Group on www.facebook.com .
