A community playground that has been envisioned for seven years and actually in the planning stages for some 17 months, became a reality last week. Dozens of volunteers from throughout the community met at the playground location behind the MOCH Wellness Center in Ava and cut, drilled painted and assembled the first phase of the playground. Jessica Jenkins, who has been the driving force behind the playground from the very beginning, says this is an ongoing project that will eventually develop into something even more grand than what you see now. Playground designer Barry Segal drew blueprints for the playground from ideas gleaned from kids of the Ava community. The ultimate playground will depict the seven continents of the world. Jenkins envisioned and began planning for the playground following the death of her baby daughter, Jayla, seven years ago.
