LOCUST GROVE, Okla. – April 27, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Children in Locust Grove now have a spruced up playground thanks to a $30,000 renovation project by the Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation.
The Housing Authority recently helped furnish a new swing set, slides and new picnic tables at the park on the corner of Delaware Street and Ross Avenue in Locust Grove.
“The Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation is constantly looking for project opportunities that not only benefit Cherokee children, but all children in our communities, and taking advantage of this opportunity at Locust Grove was a no-brainer for our group,” said Gary Cooper, executive director of the Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation. “This newly restored playground gives the children of the community a safe and fun place to come and just enjoy time in the sun.”
The Housing Authority used money from Housing and Urban Development funds for the project.
“The Cherokee Nation and the Housing Authority are doing so much to promote healthy families. This play structure will be a place for children to come and have fun while they stay healthy,” Cherokee Nation Tribal Councilor Janees Taylor said. “I appreciate Principal Chief Bill John Baker and the Housing Authority’s enthusiasm for this project for the Locust Grove community.”
The new playground replaces dilapidated playground equipment. Cherokee citizen and Locust Grove resident Amber Buckskin Swarer said the new addition is exciting for the community, and especially her own two boys.
“We are just so excited to have somewhere we can take our kids.” said Swarer, a teacher at William Bradford Christian School in Pryor. “Before this, there was not really anything. Now we have something and can get our children outdoors and active, and we don’t have to drive to another town to take advantage of it.”
Ema Parker, of Locust Grove, said she is also thankful that the new playground equipment is age-appropriate for toddlers, such as her 13-month-old, Chett.
“It’s nice to have somewhere with safe, clean equipment that I can bring my son to so that we can play outside, and I’m so glad they put in the baby swings because there wasn’t much catering to babies before,” Parker said. “I appreciate everything the Cherokee Nation and Housing Authority have done to help out and give the kids a good place to play here in Locust Grove.”
For more information on the Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation, visit www.hacn.org.
Cherokee Nation News Release
For Media Inquiries:
Julie Hubbard 918-207-3896
julie-hubbard (at) cherokee (dot) org
For General Information:
918-453-5000
800-256-0671
communications (at) cherokee (dot) org
