CITY SPOTLIGHT
Volunteer Anne Pawsat-Dressler (from left), Former Mayor Paul Luger, Commissioner John Tompeck, Vice Mayor James Campo, Mayor Kaija Mayfield, Commissioner Frank Fender, Commissioner Dave Kurzman, Volunteer Marion Kavovit, Police Chief Tina Ciechanowski.
SEWALL’S POINT
Townwide Effort Revitalizes Local Park
SEWALL’S POINT Martin County Pop. 2,127
Residents partner with commission, nonprofit by Michelle Lee Berger Town of Sewall’s Point
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he Town of Sewall’s Point has some extraordinary residents in its three square miles. These residents stepped up to assist the Town by adding a much-needed new playground at the one park within the Town’s boundaries. The existing playground was in poor shape and deteriorating quickly, with sections closed off or removed until it was fully closed due to safety concerns. Through partnerships, donations and volunteers’ hard work, the Town provided a safe community play center for its children. Sewall’s Point has the lowest millage rate in the region, at 2.87 mills. While this benefits the property owners, it can create challenges when new capital projects are desired. In 2017, residents approached then Mayor Paul Luger and the Town Commission to discuss the potential of partnering to build a new playground.
18 QUALITY CITIES | THIRD QUARTER 2021
For the Town’s part, they committed to budgeting $25,000 per year toward the playground. The volunteers committed to vetting playground designs and ensuring they would be appropriate for the Town’s children and the small park while fitting in with the Town’s natural aesthetic. They also committed to fundraising efforts and hoped to gather small donations along the way. That partnership picked up speed over the next two years and culminated in a spirited series of fundraisers in 2019 and 2020. Donating to the playground was made simpler when the volunteers enlisted the technical assistance offered by The Community Foundation Martin – St. Lucie. This nonprofit organization in Martin County and St. Lucie County assists groups with fundraising via social media and the internet by providing a secure way to receive, collect and transfer donations for a small fee.
PHOTO COURTESY OF TOWN OF SEWALL’S POINT
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