On My Mind
Executive editor — issues and opinionsWanted: 600 Volunteers to Build Fallstaff Playground
Easily one of the nicest ways to literally “build” community will take place April 22-26 at the Fallstaff Elementary Middle School, 3801 Fallstaff Road.
For some of us Fallstaff alums, this is the playground of stickball, Greek Dodge, kickball, fire drills and so much more.
I remember listening to World Series games on my transistor radio during recess. It was the first place we all saw when we were dismissed the day of JFK’s assassination. On weekend’s we’d get chased off the baseball field by a neighbor complaining of our noise.
We’d draw square boxes on the school walls incorporating metal grates for our games of stickball. As a pitcher, there was nothing sweeter than hearing the sound of the Pennsy Pinky hit that grate and watching the batter swing and miss.
So here we are many generations later, and the schoolyard and community park is to get a facelift. Only, we’re going to be the ones doing it.
In my experience of now of some 27 years writing for Jewish community, I can pinpoint two of the most galvanizing of events. Both involved building playgrounds.
One occurred in our sister city of Ashkelon when a group of about 250 Baltimore area Jews went to Israel through the efforts of the Associated: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore, rolled up their sleeves and with help from an equal number of Ashkelon residents, built what today is a gem of a playground in the beautiful seaside city.
It wasn’t just the result of a playground, however. It was the lasting friendships and creativity among the builders that turned the playground into a real life lesson. With the the threat of missiles interrupting the childhood innocence of many, Baltimore put together a playground to ease that pain.
Years prior, I had seen it happen in Detroit when the Weinberg Foundation helped the Jewish community purchase materials. There, Jews of every denomination got busy.
Women in long skirts and hair covered with scarves hammered away next to other women in shorts and t-shirts.
People who knew only how to use duct tape instead of a circular saw found they were needed and productive.
The current project is jointly coordinated by the Fallstaff Improvement Association, the Fallstaff Elementary School, CHAI and the Associated.
What is needed now are volunteers.
Don’t worry about your construction skill level. The project will find for you a comfortable way to participate.
To register simply visit chaibaltimore.org or call 410-466-1990.
You will have the time of your life. You will give back to the community and do something beautiful.
