Playground revamp underway

Donors come through to earn extra $10,000

By PAIGE CARR

Staff writer

Equipment renovations have began at Peabody City Park after a fundraiser kicked off by an anonymous donor successfully raised $20,000. Donations will go toward refurbishing old playground equipment and the purchase of new playground equipment.

Peabody Hearts for Hart Park successfully raised remaining funds to match the $10,000 donation of an anonymous donor. The organization began raising funds to be matched in February.

Early last week, committee member N.M. Patton said that they were about $4,000 short of the $10,000 needed to earn an additional $10,000 anonymous match.

Committee member Hannah Bourbon confirmed Saturday that the rest of the money was raised before deadline.

“Due to local individuals, associations, clubs and people outside our community that still have strong memories and roots in our town we were able to meet our match,” Bourbon said.

“People really stepped up,” committee member Susan Marshall said. “With that match money we can now get everything done for the initial part including repairs, replacing parts, and painting.”

Bourbon said Peabody Recreation Commission, Peabody History Club, Athena Club, Peabody Main Street Association, and Sorosis Beta were local organizations that contributed. Residents also have been attaching donations to their water bill to contribute.

According to Bourbon, fundraising efforts will continue.

“Our fundraising efforts are on going until we meet our goal of $200, 000,” she said. “We hope there will be future matching opportunities as well. We are now at approximately $35,000.”