Nothing says “teamwork” like a Lopes Park renovation.

A group of Wareham CORE volunteers gathered in the park on Saturday, Sept. 28, to start sanding, shoveling and sweeping. The group hopes to complete improvements by Spring 2020. 

In just one day, the team completed a long list of tasks: cleaning up the area, preparing and resurfacing the existing baseball diamond, sanding and staining the pavilion, and sanding and repainting the posts of the basketball hoops. 

The group is working on the playground with the approval of town officials, as it is on town-owned land.

“This is the first phase of our renovations. There will be more meetings like this in the future,” said Wareham CORE President DaLiza Fernandes. “More phases include improving the existing structure, taking down the old pickets and putting up the new engraved pickets that we have been selling.”

While Fernandes said that most of the work will be done by the volunteers, CORE will hire contractors to renovate the pavilion roof, remove bumpers surrounding the playground and create pathways for wheelchairs to make the park “safer and more accessible.”

“This playground is a significantly valuable recreational space for our community, and it is not maintained in a way that would allow it to be used to its potential,” said Fernandes. “People come here all summer long. Even when there is snow here, there are people and kids at this field playing. I think it is really important for us to take a place like this and put our energy and our effort to create a safe, accessible environment for everybody to enjoy.”

Volunteers expressed their motivations to improve the Lopes Playground.

“The town needs this playground so badly, and the playground needs to be rehabbed. This is something that the CORE has been working on for over three years, planning, fundraising and everything else,” said Susan Boyarski.

“Lots of people bring their kids here. And we want to make it nice again for them,” said Cheryl Flaherty. 

To date, Wareham CORE has raised $71,000 toward the Lopes Playground renovation. Residents can contribute to the fund via the group’s website at warehamcore.org. For $40, a donor can order an engraved picket for the enclosure surrounding the new playground. 

Anyone who wishes to help Wareham CORE or join a group of volunteers, should email warehamcore@gmail.com or reach out through the Facebook group at facebook.com/warehamcore.