Spring Day of Caring for Playground at Warriors' Path State Park April 25

Darrell's Dream Boundless Playground at Warriors' Path State Park will be closed Saturday, April 25 from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. for the 19th annual Day of Caring/Day of Service volunteer cleanup at the park.

The event is organized by the Friends of Warriors' Path State Park in partnership with Tennessee State Parks and several community groups. The park will remain open to visitors on April 25, but access to the playground will be restricted during the cleanup. In case of rain, the cleanup will be rescheduled for Saturday, May 2.

"Twice each year, the community comes together for this service, and we are always appreciative of the support," said Park Manager Chris Cole. "Our park has a special connection with our visitors, and the cleanup is an excellent example of what the park means to so many people."

With the collaboration of local businesses and community groups, the day has been designated for several maintenance projects, including replenishing the rubber mulch in play areas, pressure washing the playground equipment, weeding the playground and rain gardens, restocking the sand island, and cleaning out the creek.

Organizers expressed a special thanks to the Kingsport Lions Club, Kiwanis Club of Kingsport and Barge Design Solutions for their continued support. Without their financial help, rebuilding Station 1 and 8 Wardrobes on the Lions Narnia Braille Trail and purchasing playground equipment for repairs and replacement at the playground would not be possible.

Sponsors donating goods and/or services include Food City, Hardee's (Capstone Restaurants), Mycroft Signs, McDonald's (Faris Properties), and Walmart Super Centers of Kingsport.

Group organizers for the event include: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Kiwanis Club, Lions Club, Barge Design Solutions, Celebration Church; Northeast Tennessee Master Gardeners; Dobyns-Bennett and West Ridge high school Key Clubs; ROTCs from Cherokee High School, Dobyns-Bennett High School, Volunteer High School, and Daniel Boone High School; Tennessee Promise and Tennessee Achieves students from across the region; students from Milligan College, East Tennessee State University and Northeast State Community College. Many of these groups have participated for the last 18 years.

Neighbors, churches, and community groups are invited to volunteer. Organizers hope to have approximately 150 or more volunteers participating.

"Darrell's Dream Boundless Playground Complex continues after 19 years to provide a place where all children and adults of all abilities can be in the center of play. No one has to watch from the sidelines," said Mary Steadman, board member of the support group Friends of Warriors' Path. "We are so thankful to hundreds of volunteers and sponsors who support our Spring Day of Caring volunteer workday each year. We will be able to accomplish over 1,000 plus hours of work in just a few short hours, thanks to volunteers."

Warriors' Path was the first state park in the nation to provide a Boundless Playground. The complex includes an area for children ages 2-5, another for ages 5-12, a sand island and the a-"MAZE-ing" interactive area. It has an eight-station interactive Braille Trail, with the theme of C.S. Lewis' The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. There is a fully accessible tree house where children can learn about the history of Warriors' Path State Park and the native wildlife at the park. The playground draws over 165,000 visitors per year.

For more information about the project and to get involved contact Chris Cole at (423) 239-8531 or
[email protected] or Mary Steadman at (423) 956-4330 or [email protected].

View more information about Warriors' Path State Park.

For more information about the playground, visit the Friends of Warriors' Path State Park website.