Volunteers, Shorraw give new look to Shawnee Park Playground

By TAYLOR BROWN

tbrown@yourmvi.com

The Shawnee Park Playground is being restored thanks to Monessen Mayor Matt Shorraw and a group of volunteer painters, tapers and glaziers from a local union.

Shorraw took on the project at the request of city residents. 

“Several residents came to me over the last few months, asking if we could clean up the playground,” he said. “I was planning on attempting to paint the equipment myself and made a Facebook post about it, and then I had an overwhelming amount of positive responses on that post. 

“Many people were excited, and a few offered to help or donate if needed.”

After the post went live, a member of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council reached out to help.

“When Joe Hughes, the director of organizing at the IUPAT District Council 57, saw my post and reached out to me offering to help, I, of course, said yes,” Shorraw said. “I am incredibly grateful for their willingness to help. Unions play such a strong role in Monessen, and I’m very thankful for them and their work.”

Hughes said such projects have become a priority for the Volunteer Activist Committee, which helped complete the project. 

Volunteers repaired, repainted and applied specialized coatings to the surfaces of the playground. 

The union donated supplies for the work, with the coating designed to be easily cleaned of COVID-19-causing germs.

“Placemaking has become a priority for our members, especially now. Creating a space where families can feel safer while their kids play outside is deeply rewarding,” Hughes said. 

To read the rest of this story, please to our online edition at https://e.monvalleyindependent.com.