Castletown Playground Reopens with Dedication Ceremony

Castletown Playground reopened with a flourish Friday afternoon after it was refurbished by employees of AkzoNobel. Some 75 volunteers from the Strongsville-based company spent this week applying stain to the wooden playground. The company also donated painting equipment as well as 28 gallons each of Glidden stain, wood stripper and chlorine bleach. "What do you think of your new playground?" Mayor Tom Perciak asked kids from the Ehrnfelt Recreation Center's day camp, who gathered to inaugurate the slides, swings and climbing apparatus. "Awesome," the kids shouted back. Eric Stasiowski, communication director for AkzoNobel, said the company does several projects like this across the country every month, but said Strongsville -- where the firm is headquartered -- is special. "This is our home," Stasiowski said. "We are committed to making this community thrive." Perciak said the company also donates money to other city events, including the fireworks and the holiday tree lighting on the City Commons. Recreation Director Bryan Bogre said Castletown was built over a four-day period in 1991 with $91,000 in donated money and 3,000 volunteers working four-hour shifts. Kids were asked to help design the wooden structure, which boasts 3,640 boards, 2,000 screws and bolts, and 600 pounds of nails.