In my neighbourhood there is a park. It has everything -- tennis courts (where the pro, Sasha, is known and loved by everyone, even if they don't play tennis), lawn bowling, a small baseball diamond, a playground for kids to see how high they can climb and scare the living daylights out of their parents, and a wading pool to keep said children cool in the heat. Century-old trees keep the park shady in the summer and shed beautifully coloured leaves in the fall so that children can compete to find the biggest leaf or turn it into artwork to be hung on their parents' wall.
What's special about this park, besides it's beauty, are the people who live around it. They are what is truly beautiful about my park. For a few years now, the parents have joined together to turn a patch of grass into a hockey rink. I admit, I only volunteered for one winter. I hate the cold and my daughter hates hockey, so, okay, I was a bit of a woos. But I really admire those parents who stuck it out and are STILL sticking it out. Every winter there they are, putting up the wood barriers, flooding the grass, hoping it gets cold enough to freeze, smoothing it out and flooding it again because it melted. Every morning and evening you can see them out there, freezing their hands off while holding the hose. Some parents make hot chocolate and bring it out to the volunteer Human Zambonies.
It was well worth it. The kids absolutely love it. And some nights, if you're lucky and you pass by when the lights are on, you might be able to see some of the older "kids"... the parents... getting together for a "pick-up" game, and having the time of their lives.
When I learn how to put pictures up I will show you how great it really is.
Until then, thanks for reading! I'll write again soon!
Julie Cohn
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