Mother’s Club and Rotary Club Partner With City To Replace Faulty Playground Equipment

The City of Half Moon Bay, the Coastside Mothers’ Club, and The Rotary Club of Half Moon Bay will join forces to fundraise and plan for a new play structure at in Half Moon Bay’s Alsace Lorraine neighborhood, following the main play structure’s closure by city officials earlier this month.

Though two toddler playing areas remain open, the closed structure, which offers the largest play equipment at Ocean View Park, is approximately two decades old and poses safety hazards due to rust, uncovered bolts, and spacing concerns in proximity to other equipment, according to inspectors.  The City of Half Moon Bay has set no removal date for the equipment, though caution tape and signs are present at the park.  The equipment, including slides, a fireman’s pole, and other popular play features, must be brought up to code in accordance with California law.

Hearing of the pending removal of the unsafe structure, the Coastside Mothers’ Club’s online chat forum lit up with comments and ideas. “It was probably the most popular chat discussion ever,” says Kristen O’Brien, president of the Coastside Mothers’ Club, who states that Ocean View Park is of particular importance to the club, being that their playgroups meet there throughout the year and host monthly potlucks in the park during the summer months. 

Celebrating its 40^th year of service, Rotary will join the Coastside Mother’s Club in fundraising for the design and equipment of a new playground at Ocean View Park.  After speaking with the City of Half Moon Bay, Rotary President-elect Rose Serdy’s club thought the Ocean View Park project might be appropriate for creating awareness of what Rotary does for its community and for supporting young families on the Coast.

Though details are still being clarified, Serdy says Rotary, as a 501(c)3 organization, will serve as the fiduciary agent, collecting funds.

“How we move forward will be determined after March 1,” says Serdy, who would like to see other local nonprofit organizations get involved, especially those working with children.

“We are excited to be able to replace the playground equipment through a fundraising program instead of just having to remove it without a plan to get new equipment,” says City Manager Laura Snideman.   Katie Crowder, Assistant to the City Manager, stresses that the amount of funding needed for a new structure is still being determined.  “What it looks like will depend on how much is raised,” said Crowder. “It could be a quicker process if we have corporate donors.  With individual sponsors, it could take much longer.”

According to Crowder, the city will actively facilitate and support the Mothers’ Club and Rotary in moving forward.  More information on their actions will be available following a March 15 presentation to the Half Moon Bay City Council.

“We are all for safe fun and accessible places for families and children on the Coast,” says Crowder.

The Mother’s Club will coordinate the fundraising projects, says O’Brien.  Those could include a family-friendly fundraising competition, a cookbook for sale, a “surf-a-duck” race, and a town-wide garage sale with a focus on baby gear and children’s clothing.  O’Brien would like to see Main Street merchants get involved, perhaps selling Ocean View signature cookies or hosting a fundraising shopping day. 

All are just thoughts for now, but a corporate letter writing campaign and grant writing will be part of the master plan, says O’Brien. 

“We have a special committee in place, we are building a fundraising plan, and we intend to get the entire city, from Main Street to Mavericks, involved in this great community initiative,” says O’Brien, who hopes to begin fundraising efforts in March.

O’Brien adds that the City has agreed to include children in the selection process of the structure.

“It really will be a great opportunity to teach our children how to work together to solve a problem.  We love that it will be a very hands-on learning opportunity for them,” says O’Brien.

Those who wish to get involved should send an email to president@coastsidemothersclub.org or community@coastsidemothersclub.org.