Build America team installing handicap-accessible playground equipment

Of all the brochures, of all the playground companies, in all the world, Grand Island Park Maintenance Superintendent Greg Bostleman had to hand out the brochure with Jack Fry's playground equipment.

OK.

That line will never compare with the famous movie quote from "Casablanca" when Isla Lund, played by Ingrid Bergman, walks into the "gin joint" owned by Rick Blaine, played by Humphrey Bogart.

But Andrea Spencer, Tammy Nance and Sue Hamilton might be excused for thinking it was fate when Bostleman handed them a brochure containing details on Fry's playground equipment.

Bostleman gave them the brochure because the trio needed to pick out handicap-accessible playground equipment to be installed at Ashley Park by Build America, a group of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity members.

Fry, who attended Northeast Missouri State University in Kirksville in 1990 and 1991, just happens to be an alumnus of Pi Kappa Phi.

Fry said he found out about the Build America and Pi Kappa Phi connection when his wife was checking out the credit-worthiness of the Grand Island group that was buying his company's equipment.

When Fry discovered Pi Kappa Phi members from Build America were installing the barrier-free equipment, he just had to make the trip from Kansas City, Mo., to Grand Island to see the fraternity members at work.

Fry brought along Kevin Marshall to oversee the fraternity members' work, helping to make the labor go a little easier and faster, while also ensuring that all his company's playground equipment was installed correctly.

Tyler Quinn, a Pi Kappa Phi member who will be a senior at Arizona State University this fall, said Build America awarded a $10,000 grant to buy the handicap-accessible equipment to be installed in Grand Island.

That grant also included a team of 17 fraternity members to put in the equipment.

Although it was not a requirement to win the grant, the city of Grand Island matched Build America's amount with another $10,000.

That means $20,000 of improvements are being made at Ashley Park.

Quinn said this is the third time Build America has worked in Grand Island, although the three days of work represent the largest project so far.

Quinn said Build America typically installs barrier-free playground equipment at camps that are designated for use by individuals with disabilities.

In the past, Build America has completed short one- or two-day projects in city parks during the weekends that fall between its work at various camps, Quinn said.

"This is the first time we're not in a camp for a week of work," Quinn said. "This is our only major city stay where we work on a park."

The 17 members of the Build America team in Grand Island each had to earn $3,500 in financial sponsors to be part of the group, which is installing barrier-free equipment in various locations over a six-week period.

Quinn, who wants to be a dentist, said the group includes one college student who is majoring in construction management. But he noted the group of 17 includes English majors and other students who are barely familiar with using a hammer, as well as students "who are quite adept with tools."

Build America is working Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of this week to install handicap-accessible surfaces around existing barrier-free playground equipment at Ashley Park, install surfaces and new barrier-free equipment, and install concrete walkways to make it easier for people in wheelchairs and others with limited mobility to move about the park.

Fry said he is impressed with the work done by Pi Kappa Phi members. When he was a college student, Fry said, Push America activities by his Pi Kappa Phi chapter were largely limited to local fund-raising activities, as well as having community events with people with disabilities.

Of course, in 1990 and 1991, Push America was just entering its years of rapid expansion.

In 1987, a Pi Kappa Phi member named Bruce Rogers took a solitary bike ride across America to bring more attention to Push America.

The next year, a 21-member cycling team made the cross-country trip, which is now known as Journey of Hope.

In 2003, Build America began its work.

Next week, cyclists with Journey of Hope will be in Grand Island.

Grand Island resident Ron Eakes has promised to work on lodging for the cyclists. The reason?

Spencer, Nance and Hamilton said it is because Eakes has a son who is working for Bruce Rogers, the solitary Pi Kappa Phi cyclist from 1987.

"Sometimes it has to be more than coincidence," Spencer said.