Good Samaritans staging city playground rescue

Unused equipment at Gordon Education Center will be moved to Ash Park 

By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times

This unused playground equipment behind the Gordon Education Center is about to be rescued and relocated to Ash Park so it can be used by city children.

Whether it’s an arson scourge or school-district turmoil, crises always seem to generate the indomitable Coatesville spirit of community and compassion. Amid concerns about the city’s educational system, some spontaneous kindness surfaced this week that will serve Coatesville’s children outside the classroom.

Last weekend, Marie Hess, who heads the city’s Park and Recreation Commission, issued a plaintive plea on social media for assistance rescuing about $15,000 worth of playground equipment. The setup, sandwiched behind the Gordon Education Center, was given to the city by the school district about three years ago, Hess said.

Now that the building is being used by Lincoln University for college classes, the equipment is not only in the way but in danger of being torn down. Hess said the playground equipment would be welcomed across the street at Ash Park, but someone with a lot of muscle, know-how, and heavy equipment would be required to make the move happen.

“So I am calling on a huge blessing,” Hess wrote. “Anyone with any connections to someone who could do this out of the kindness of their heart, please help!”

Three companies – Keares Electric, The Coatesville Solar Initiative, and Mid-Atlantic Forestry Equipment – stepped up to help as well as David’s Drive 831, an area nonprofit started in 2010 in memory of David B. Turner Jr. who died unexpectedly at the age of 20 and was committed to helping others. Hess said her Facebook message got forwarded a few times, and within minutes, representatives from each of the entities contacted her.

“A meeting was scheduled within days; the preparation for the move was done the next day,” said Hess. “We all feel that this is what community is all about, especially when it comes to the children. The City of Coatesville Parks and Recreation Commission is extremely appreciative of these gentlemen using their own time and resources to make this dream a reality!”