By Nick Hytrek, Sioux City (Iowa) Journal
June 23, 2008

HUBBARD, Neb. -- When they began raising money to replace old playground equipment in their town's park, members of the newly formed Hubbard Betterment Committee had a simple goal: Out with the old, in with the new.

It seemed like a straightforward task. Raise enough money to get new, safe equipment to replace old metal swings, a merry-go-round that had rusty bolts sticking up out of it and a slide that long ago had stopped meeting modern safety standards.

But in the months that followed since they began meeting in late 2006, committee members noticed something else happening. They weren't just updating an old playground, they were replacing old attitudes.

Hubbard residents, both old and new, were opening up more than their checkbooks. They were opening their eyes to the possibilities for their town. They were asking how they, too, could help. They were thinking of other ways to improve their community of 234 people. [More]

Learn how to organize your community to build a playground