Operation Hope Playground Completed
Volunteers working on December 13, 2014, put the final touches on the Operation Hope Playground at Courthouse Park. The crew worked by spreading mulch over the newest section of the playground surfacing. Operation Hope was established in 2004 by Nelson and Katie Stilwell. They recognized the need and had the vision of many children in our area to have a play area that they could share with their friends and interact with other children.
Playground improvements that were added to the existing Courthouse Park playground include: 5 slides, 7 hands-on interactive displays, 6 climbing structures, mulch and an expanded playground boundary.
Operation Hope playgrounds now exist in east (Pole Green Park), west/central (Poor Farm Park) and now central (Courthouse Park) Hanover County. The last bit of funding was presented to Operation Hope co-founder Dana Nelson earlier this year with a $30,000 check. This final check was given by the Greater Richmond Civitan Club. It has taken 10 years for the playgrounds to be completed and it is a true asset for the children of Hanover to have access to these amenities. In an interview with the Herald Progress, back in February of this year, Nelson said, “It really couldn’t have been done if it wasn’t for the involvement of so many people.” On the Operation Hope Sponsor and Support web page, you can find over 240 businesses, individuals and groups that donated money, gifts and volunteer hours to make the playgrounds of Hanover County enhanced to the level that they are.
We look forward to seeing families and individuals enjoying not only the Operation Hope playgrounds, but all of the amenities throughout Hanover County, to include parks, programs and special events.