Revitalization of playground attracts a crowd

Where there is food there are politicians. It's a truism I've discovered writing for The Weekly News. Cake seems to be a particular favourite, but donuts, muffins and cookies are also popular among our governmental representatives.
Who can blame them? Over the years I've been fortunate to cover events and have partaken of many a tasty treat in the pursuit of a story. Perhaps, judging by the protestations of the bathroom scale, I have enjoyed a few too many of these proceedings.
The most recent gathering took place June 1 at the Springfield Lake Recreation Centre. To help celebrate the reopening of the SLRC playground residents and politicians were treated to a barbecue. Naturally, I jumped at the chance to cover the story, although I must insist that my reasons weren't purely gastronomic.
It had been awhile since Mitchell and Sylvia had been to the centre's playground, but I still have fond memories of them as preschool children, chasing each other around the plastic and wood equipment. With junior high looming in Mitchell's near future, I found myself missing the days when Lydia and I were needed to push him and his sister on the swings.
So I was glad to be invited to the revitalization of a playground which has provided enjoyment and memories to many local families.
Money for the improvements required to replace aging equipment, expand the playground area, and ensure it meets safety codes was provided by the province, HRM, community fundraising and donations from philanthropic bikers, Road Dawgs. Altogether approximately $15,000 was raised and the timing couldn't be better. With summer approaching, the playground promises to be a hit among families who stop by the centre on wing nights or for some ice cream.
As we waited for the ribbon cutting to begin, Mitchell and Sylvia tried out the new circular monkey bars. Lydia decided to join them.
"You have to close your eyes," Sylvia told her. "We're playing a game."
"What?" Lydia asked, somewhat nervously from her perch at the top of the bars. Nevertheless, my wife went along with the rules which seemed to constantly morph.
A few seconds later I heard Lydia exclaim, "Ow!"
Somehow she had managed to stub her toe. Perhaps the monkey bars should have come with a warning for adults to keep their eyes open.
Then it was time for the official opening. District 19 Coun. Brad Johns shared the honour with incumbent MLA for Hammonds Plains-Upper Sackville, Barry Barnet, while NDP candidate Mat Whynott watched with residents from the sidelines. Despite the upcoming election, speeches were mercifully free of political posturing.
Then the ribbon was cut. Shortly afterward, once all the hotdogs and hamburgers had been consumed, I made my way into the night closely followed by the politicians. Somewhere a cake was calling our name.
atoal@ns.sympatico.ca