During our week in Greensburg, Kan., The Early Show, with help from BNIM Architects, is building an eco-friendly playground at Big Well Park. Many here say they want to preserve the city for its children. Here's how things looked when we broke ground on Monday, April 28, 2008.
The remains of Big Well Park following the May 4, 2007, tornado. Tim Duggan, the architect in charge of the playground project, says everything at the new playground serves a very specific purpose regarding sustainability. Even the injured elm trees, which once provided a beautiful green canopy over the park, will be nurtured back to health.
Day Three
On day two, the park was no more than a big plot of dirt. By Wednesday, April 30, 2008, the concrete was poured and workers and volunteers began installing the playground equipment.
The scene on day three. This eco-friendly playground will have some traditional playground components, with a contemporary design. There will be a slide, monkey bars, places to climb, places to hide and play and lots of room for imaginative play.
The playground at Big Well Park takes shape as workers install the equipment on Wednesday, April 30, 2008. The new playground will be unveiled on Friday.
Day Four
Maggie, Harry and Dave get dirty helping plant a "rain garden" at the playground on May 1, 2008. Not only will it be pretty, but rain water that falls on the site will be harnessed and fed to this area. The garden is full of plants that absorb amazing amounts of water and will essentially clean the water, ridding it of silt and soil, before it runs off into creeks and streams.
Day Five
The children of Greensburg are all smiles as they run through their newly-dedicated playground at Big Well Park on Friday, May 2, 2008. The playground was The Early Show's pet project for the city.
Looks like Greensburg's eco-friendly playground is a hit with the city's kids.