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Playful ministry
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| First Baptist playground near completion |
By MaryClaire Foster
After months of planning and weeks of work, all will come to fruition as the First Baptist Church Atmore opens its newly revamped outdoor play area this May.
Tina Francis, FBC Minister to Children, said the renovation to the church playground was a necessity to the church’s ministries.
“First Baptist Church has a priority on children and youth ministry so giving our most visible outdoor area a ‘facelift’ was a practical move,” she said. “The Children’s Committee began looking at equipment as far back as October and realized this would be no small project.”
Besides general use of the area by members’ children, children who attend daycare and pre-school at the church will also use the facilities.
Francis said one major point of consideration in the renovation was the age range of children who use the play area.
“Because of the wide age range of the children we encounter, it is necessary to have separated areas,” she said.
Francis said the area for the 6 months to 3 years age range includes one unit with a slide, tunnel and built in playhouse as well as manipulative panels for cognitive development and will also have existing pieces included.
“We have incorporated some of our most loved pieces from our existing play area into this area as well as a new covered area to provide shade for the children to play or picnic in,” she said.
The larger area of the outside facility is for children up to 12 years old.
“It has two slides, a swinging bridge and several climbing options including a rock wall,” she said. “We also have for this age group a bubble climbing wall and a four-person teeter-totter. This area also has a covered area for play or picnics. The area being used for play at this time with the basketball court will be a multi-use area that our youth group can take advantage of.”
Francis said they are mostly in the finishing touches stage of construction with only the engineered wood fiber to be added under the equipment and some landscaping to be finished before completion.
“We have a finish date slated as May 7,” she said. “We will have play day for the Childcare Center on May 8 with a community play day on May 9. We will have a church dedication at some point in the near future.”
Francis said the church sees this as an extension of its ministry.
“The church is very excited about the playground as well as the opportunities it will provide for us to minister to our community,” she said. “Our hope is to use this wonderful area as an opportunity to connect with families and share the love and hope of Jesus in every way possible.”
Tina Francis, FBC Minister to Children, said the renovation to the church playground was a necessity to the church’s ministries.
“First Baptist Church has a priority on children and youth ministry so giving our most visible outdoor area a ‘facelift’ was a practical move,” she said. “The Children’s Committee began looking at equipment as far back as October and realized this would be no small project.”
Besides general use of the area by members’ children, children who attend daycare and pre-school at the church will also use the facilities.
Francis said one major point of consideration in the renovation was the age range of children who use the play area.
“Because of the wide age range of the children we encounter, it is necessary to have separated areas,” she said.
Francis said the area for the 6 months to 3 years age range includes one unit with a slide, tunnel and built in playhouse as well as manipulative panels for cognitive development and will also have existing pieces included.
“We have incorporated some of our most loved pieces from our existing play area into this area as well as a new covered area to provide shade for the children to play or picnic in,” she said.
The larger area of the outside facility is for children up to 12 years old.
“It has two slides, a swinging bridge and several climbing options including a rock wall,” she said. “We also have for this age group a bubble climbing wall and a four-person teeter-totter. This area also has a covered area for play or picnics. The area being used for play at this time with the basketball court will be a multi-use area that our youth group can take advantage of.”
Francis said they are mostly in the finishing touches stage of construction with only the engineered wood fiber to be added under the equipment and some landscaping to be finished before completion.
“We have a finish date slated as May 7,” she said. “We will have play day for the Childcare Center on May 8 with a community play day on May 9. We will have a church dedication at some point in the near future.”
Francis said the church sees this as an extension of its ministry.
“The church is very excited about the playground as well as the opportunities it will provide for us to minister to our community,” she said. “Our hope is to use this wonderful area as an opportunity to connect with families and share the love and hope of Jesus in every way possible.”
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