BY DAWN BAUMGARTNER VAUGHAN

dvaughan@heraldsun.com; 419-6563

DURHAM -- Durham's West End neighborhoods have a brand new city playground, erected in one day through a collaboration of several city, community and university groups.

The new playground at Maplewood Park on Chapel Hill Road was constructed with help from the Southwest Central Durham Quality of Life Project, City of Durham, Duke University, Make Kids Smile, West End Community Center, West End Neighborhood Association and developers of Maplewood Square.

Volunteers spent Saturday building the playground that features the latest in playground equipment like a Zelo, a modern take on a jungle gym. There is also a swing set, plastic bongo drum set and playground unit for little kids. There is also a big basketball hoop that drops the ball out in various directions. That received the most votes from neighborhood children, who had a part in choosing what to include, said Lanier Blum of Self-Help Residential Development, a Maplewood development partner along with DHIC and Durham Community Land Trustees.

Andrew Ognibene, of Make Kids Smile, a nonprofit that provides playgrounds to at-risk areas, recruited two dozen fellow Duke students to volunteer Saturday, building the playground under the direction of PlayWorld installers.

There is plenty of equipment for climbing, jumping, swinging and having the kind of fun that brings people together. It is the nearest park for 1,400 families that live in homes surrounding the playground. The next closest park is Lyon Park, but planners wanted to build a small neighborhood park within short walking distance for many residents. A sidewalk and benches surround the playground, which is adjacent to Maplewood Square apartments for senior citizens. Four single family homes are also under construction on an adjacent site. The total cost of the playground was $120,000, including equipment, sidewalks and landscaping -- funded by several groups and businesses.

Andy Balber of the SWCD Quality of Life Project, said the playground and senior housing was an idea that came out of the neighborhood. Older residents didn't want to have to move away when they needed a smaller place. All the pieces came together with several partners, a city tax credit and getting developers to buy the land, he said.

Victoria Phillips, a volunteer with the project, said the playground next to the senior apartments is an opportunity for generations to interact. Maplewood is leasing the apartments now.

The Quality of Life Project has been involved in several neighborhood revitalization projects, focusing on housing as well as education, safety and economic development. The city did a land swap with the collaborators in order to shift the old city park. The old Maplewood playground was set back from the road and seldom used for play. The new playground is highly visible. Volunteer Hazeline Umstead said she joined the Quality of Life Project because it brings about growth and unity with neighborhoods and neighbors.

After waiting 24 hours for the concrete to set, the park will be ready for play on Monday.