FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
GENERAL
What is the history of Wishing Well Park?
20 years ago, a group of local parents approached the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer about the possibility of building a community playground on a parcel of vacant land adjacent to the Church. Redeemer generously agreed, and in 2002, Project Swing (“Salisbury’s Wish Into the Next Generation”) was formed as a 501(c)(3) organization for the express purpose of raising funds to build a community playground. Drawing from the community's support, including both individuals and area businesses, volunteers for Project SWING raised funds to build the playground we still use today. In 2006 the playground was completed, made possible due to the generous support of Redeemer as well as the persistent efforts of local parents who helped take Wishing Well Park from dream to reality. This was truly a community endeavor and a labor of love. Since then, Wishing Well Park has been open for the entire community to enjoy.
From its inception, Wishing Well Park has been maintained entirely by the efforts and hard work of community volunteers, as well as donations - monetary and in-kind - made to Project Swing. At the end of 2019, with the playground becoming outdated and suffering from chronic drainage issues, several neighborhood parents and members of Redeemer organized a second large-scale fundraising effort through Project Swing, with the ultimate goal of entirely refurbishing Wishing Well Playground.
What is Project Swing?
Project Swing, or “Salisbury’s Wish Into the Next Generation”, was organized in 2002 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, to enable fundraising in support of Wishing Well Park. Because Project SWING is organized as a supporting organization of Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, which provides Wishing Well Park as a gift to our community, all donations are tax deductible. Project SWING’s mission is to foster community and play; and ultimately, to build and maintain a community park and play space that is both inclusive and accessible to community members of all abilities.
PROJECT VISIOn
What is your vision for Wishing Well Park?
We are designing a beautiful, accessible gathering spot that serves a broader age range, and children of all abilities. To see renderings of the planned space, visit our Vision page, here.
Why is a park revitalization considered NECESSARY?
Wishing Well Park is over 17 years old. 15 years is the average lifespan of a commercial playground. The Park is showing its age. Our goal is to make Wishing Well Park an accessible play option for children with disabilities; to create a space where neighbors of all ages can gather; and to increase safety and aesthetic appeal by replacing all of the playground equipment, and adding park-like elements, including updated hardscaping and plantings.
What’s up with the drainage issues?
For many years, Wishing Well Park had major issues with drainage and puddling for days after rainstorms. We are excited to report that during February 2022, we installed drainage mitigation. The plan was designed pro bono by a local civil engineer whose children used to use the playground, and the work was done at cost by a generous local contractor. This has largely fixed the issue, but we will work with our playground vendor to determine whether supplementing the existing drainage mitigation system is a necessary part of the ultimate design plan.
Who is making the decision on the design and proposal?
This initiative has been 100% community-driven. Since this project’s inception, Project SWING has been actively listening and seeking community feedback. An initial community survey was circulated in early 2020, and another survey was circulated in April 2022 following the slow-down during 2020 and 2021, resulting from COVID. A community steering committee made up of local residents from surrounding neighborhoods convened for the first time in April 2022 and provided continued feedback throughout the design process.
Project SWING worked with the steering committee and with a landscape architect who specializes in playground design, to develop a design that adheres to the project vision and encompasses elements desired by the community at large.
What new elements WILL BE incorporateD?
Based on community feedback, we have developed a redesign that will provide something for all ages. The plan emphasizes natural materials, and creative play; adds equipment that serves a wider age range; and includes play equipment accessible to children with disabilities.
Based on our fundraising progress, we have determined that a phased approach is appropriate. We expect Phase I to include accessible pathways, a universal spinner, a stage for creative play, sensory bins, a labyrinth, outdoor music instruments, and new 2-5 play equipment, as well as a shade structure for covered seating. Phase II will include a rope climbing structure with a slide, appropriate for ages 5-12, as well as a wheelchair swing, and plantings to create more of a park-life feel.
How long will these efforts take?
Given our fundraising progress (outlined below), we plan to implement a phased approach, to allow the community to enjoy a new playground sooner, rather than later. With this in mind, our goal is to break ground on Phase I of our design during the first quarter of 2024. Additional fundraising will be required to implement the entire project vision, but we are hopeful that fundraising progress will allow us to implement Phase II during the first half of 2025.
Progress to date includes the drainage mitigation which we installed during President’s Day Weekend 2022, a new, powdered aluminum fence with double gates installed in April 2022, and a new swing set including accessible options, installed just before Valentine’s Day, 2023.
How can I find out more information on the project status and progress being made?
We strive to be as transparent as possible throughout this process. We are regularly updating the community via Facebook (Wishing Well Park) and Instagram (@WishingWellPark) as well as on our website: www.WishingWellPark.com. We also welcome questions to WishingWellPark@gmail.com. We promise updates as we have them.
FINANCIALS & FUNDRAISING
What will this cost?
Estimates we’ve received have come in above $300,000 for the full project design. We have been exploring in-kind donations and as well as cutting costs where feasible. Our goal is to be as financially responsible as possible while still achieving as much as we can toward the community’s broader vision. (Again, the cost for the initial build was $150k more than 15 years ago.)
What are your fundraising plans?
We have a fundraising strategy in place designed to call on past donors, capital donors (large corporations), local businesses, and also individuals within the community. Our fundraising to date has included two annual Fall Galas (in 2021 and 2022); a year-end giving appeal to community residents; and community events scheduled throughout the year. During 2022, we held a fundraising event virtually every month. For additional information regarding upcoming fundraisers, visit www.wishingwellpark.com/fundraisers.
We are also offering sponsorship levels to allow for brand visibility, and celebrations and memorials for families (see www.wishingwellpark.com/give). If you have any other ideas, we want to hear them: WishingWellPark@gmail.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @wishingwellpark for updates regarding fundraising efforts and events.
Where / how can I donate?
Donations can be made via Credit Card or PayPal on our website at www.wishingwellpark.com/give, or via check to Project Swing: PO Box 2617, Midlothian, VA 23113-9998. You can also support Project SWING by designating the organization as your charity when you shop at smile.amazon.com, or visit Amazon Smile here: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/45-0495109.
Is my donation tax deductible?
YES! Project SWING is a 501(c)(3) organization, and all donations are tax deductible.
WHAT IS THE CURRENT FUNDRAISING PROGRESS?
Thanks to the support of our incredible community, despite the initial disruptions resulting from COVID-19, we have made steady fundraising progress. Between November 2021 and April 2022, we raised over $90,000. As of April 2024, we have reached over $265,000 (net) in funds raised, including a grant to help fund accessible pathways and are excited to break ground on Phase 1 of our design during Summer of 2024. In order to implement our entire project vision, we will need to raise an additional $150,000 to complete Phase II, which will include a wheelchair swing with safety surfacing as well as a custom rope climbing structure with accessible elements at the base and a slide. We are excited to continue making progress toward the beautiful, safe and accessible space that we envision!
I donated to the initial build of the park. What will you do with my plaque, tile, or brick?
All legacy donors will be commemorated in some way in the future playground design. From the bricks to the tiles, everything currently on the playground will be reused but may shift in terms of placement. Those with names on equipment, plaques and signage will also be commemorated in a legacy donor area (to be designed.) Sponsorships of equipment/benches will need to be renewed at current cost structure.
HOW IS CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER INVOLVED?
Wishing Well Park is available to our community as the result of Redeemer’s generosity and continued support. Wishing Well Park truly is the Church’s gift to our community. Due to their ownership of the land as well as Project Swing’s status as a supporting organization of the church, Redeemer maintains oversight of Project SWING.
How is Salisbury HOMEOWNERS Association (SHOA) involved?
Although this is not a Salisbury Homeowners Association project, Project Swing now has a permanent liaison to SHOA’s Board, who regularly updates SHOA regarding our progress. During SHOA’s Annual Meeting in March 2022, SHOA made an initial $25,000 donation to Project Swing, along with a commitment to donate another $25,000 once we hit the $200,000 mark. In connection with our Second Annual Fall Gala in November 2022, we met that goal! SHOA has now generously donated $50,000 toward this project.