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Working Hard Before Playing

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By JOSE PATINO GIRONA, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 30, 2008

Additional Photos

WEST TAMPA - Tracy Romano had been around for the brainstorming sessions, the ups and downs and the sketches that revealed Freedom Playground.

Now she was on the site at Macfarlane Park, 1700 N. MacDill Ave., volunteering to landscape a corner of the playground that will open at 11 a.m. Saturday. About a dozen volunteers landscaped and mulched while others finished assembling some of the equipment.

Most of the playground was ready, with swings, slides, sliding poles and sand boxes with sculpted turtles that shoot water. The playground's musical instruments - chimes, steel drum and plastic conga drums - also were set.

"Seeing something like this coming to fruition gives you goose bumps," said Romano, 34, of Tampa.

Seven years ago, Stefani Busansky had the idea of building a playground that was accessible to all children. She was inspired by her daughter Sarah, 8, who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair. Sarah is a third-grader at Grady Elementary in South Tampa, where a similar playground is planned.

For the past five to six weeks, volunteers have headed to the playground on a Saturday or Sunday to prepare for opening day.

"The family, friends and people in the community have formed one big family," said Toni Beddingfield, Sarah's grandmother.

Jennifer Galiano, 17, planted geraniums, hibiscus, snapdragons, petunia and rosemary. She was using the experience to help earn a Gold Award Project for Girl Scouts.

"I think it is wonderful," said her mother, Jill Galiano of Seminole, who was also assisting at a recent volunteer workday. "Kids of all abilities need a place to play in safety."

Busansky, president and founder of the Freedom Playground Foundation, has raised $915,000 for the project, including $450,000 from the city and a $150,000 grant from CVS Pharmacy.

An additional $18,000 is needed to build an accessible playhouse in the young children's area. The playground is designed for ages 2 to 12.

Gary Alexander of Tampa has been a faithful volunteer, putting together benches, swing sets and tables, and landscaping. He brings along his boombox and plays rhythm and blues, salsa and classic rock.

A few years ago, he met the Busanskys at a coffee shop. Stefani and Ed Busansky also have another daughter, Claire, 4.

"I thought it was a great idea, and I wanted to help any way I can," Alexander said.

Stefani Busansky is thrilled that the dedication date is nearing. At a volunteer workday, she was busy helping volunteers and surveying what needed to be done. She didn't sit.

She wore a lime Freedom Playground T-shirt with a quote from Plato on the back: "Life must be lived as play."

"What I am looking forward to is Feb. 3 - just to come and play," she said.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Opening of Freedom Playground, including an appearance by Mayor Pam Iorio and children's reading based on a pirate theme

WHEN: 11 a.m. Saturday

WHERE: Macfarlane Park, 1700 N. MacDill Ave.

Reporter Jose Patino Girona can be reached at jpatino@tampatrib.com or (813) 835-2110.

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