The first phase of redevelopment of Russom Park is nearly complete, with only one major project remaining: The construction of a new playground that provides accessibility features for children with disabilities.

With the equipment and construction vendors selected last month for the project, there’s one last obstacle standing in the way of ground breaking.

Finding a few good men and women to help build the thing.

As a  way to manage construction costs, officials with the City of Dowagiac and Silver Creek Township decided to make the playground a “community build” project, gathering volunteers to help assemble the equipment and lay down concrete for the new playground, which will be located in the middle of the park, between the city and township ownership lines.

“The cost of construction would cost about as much as the price of the equipment, around $70,000,” said Township Supervisor Bill Saunders. “We couldn’t build it without volunteer help. If we can get 20 good people to help for a couple of days, we can get the project done.”

Volunteers would be needed for two days, likely on a Friday and Saturday. A contracted official will oversee construction for the project, which will also provide training a few weeks before the build takes place.

A number of local organizations have already expressed interest in lending a hand, including firefighters with Indian Lake Fire Department and employees with Bakeman’s Barbers, Saunders said.

The new playground will sport play equipment typically seen in similar parks, such as composite play sets, swings, spin and bounce toys and a zip line.

What will make the playground standout is that it will be completely compliant with current disability requirements, with an AstroTurf-like padded surface beneath the equipment and access ramps to play structures.

“This will be the only type of playground like this in the area,” said Gary Carlile, who has been heavily involved with the Russom Park renovations. “Kids who really need this type of access will be able to get it.”

Carlile, who was in charge of writing the grant applications for the first phase of redevelopment, included the playground in plans at the public’s suggestion, he said. The play area will give smaller children activities to keep them occupied while their older siblings use the baseball and other athletic fields at the park, Carlile said.

“Having a playground was a big deal to parents who attended meetings about the park,” he said.

Carlile decided to include the accessibility features in the new playground in order to help their application to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources stand out from others, he said. The park already has fields that can be used by junior sports leagues for children with disabilities, such as VIP Soccer or Challenger Baseball.

“The playground falls within the mission of the park,” Carlile said.

If the city and township are able to corral enough volunteers in a timely fashion, construction can begin as soon as late May or early June, Carlile said.

Redevelopment of the park, which is located at the intersection of Middle Crossing and Yaw streets, began last year. The city and the township have worked together for a number of years to renovate the park after purchasing the property from the Russom family in 2008. Both entities received around $600,000 from the DNR in 2011 for the initial phase of construction.

Citizens or organizations interested in contributing to the community build are encouraged to call the township at (269) 424-3025 or the city at (269) 782-2195.