Bringing together more than 15 Opus South employees and up to 250 community volunteers recently led to the building of a wonderful new playground facility in Birmingham, AL. The Fountain Heights’ playground, in combination with the recently completed Birmingham Social Security Administration Center, has given Opus South terrific community visibility in the city.

Opus South partnered with community leaders and KaBoom!, a national non-profit organization that envisions a great place to play within walking distance of every child in America, to make the Fountain Heights’ playground come to life on June 7. The Saturday build-day effort culminated nearly six months of planning for the facility by Opus South and other groups.

“It is great to see how one playground can have such a positive effect on a community and how people feel so much pride in their neighborhood,” said Opus South’s William Valentine, real estate manager in the Atlanta office. “Our goal was to enable kids to have a fun, enjoyable and safe time playing together at Fountain Heights.” He said this playground, funded through a $70,500 grant from the Opus Foundation, was incredibly reflective of the Opus culture of giving back to communities and the fulfillment of working together.

The Opus South employees (including family and friends) participating on build day were:

Mary Jo Bateman; Dave Blanchard; Sam Beale (and daughters Erica and Ally); Kathy Grawe; Vickie Greenwood (and daughter Katie and friend Maegan Abkemeier); Steve Franks; Mike Dolan; Keith Hornsby (and wife Julie and daughter Courtney); Deb Leighton; Gail Lewin (and husband John); William Valentine (and dad Gary); Tom Walker; Pamela Wiener; Patrick Wogsland (and girlfriend Ansley Wood); Anne Marie Solberg (and fiancé Aric Regal); and Michele Welch. These Atlanta volunteers drove 2+ hours to Birmingham to help on build day.

Community leaders and local politicians braved a 104-degree heat index to inaugurate this special facility on build day. “We are so appreciative of Opus South’s leadership in this project; it helped unite our community,” said Doris Powell of the Fountain Heights’ Neighborhood Association. “Our mutual goal was wonderfully achieved to create an exciting playground providing community, fitness and fun for the children of Fountain Heights and surrounding neighborhoods.”

William Bell, City of Birmingham Councilor – District 5, said, “Many businesses make promises to get neighborhood support for a project. Opus kept its promise and this provided a winning combination for us.”

There was previously an outdated, dilapidated playground with an old pavilion on the neighborhood site. Today, thanks to Opus South and the Birmingham community, there is brand new playground equipment, adult and children’s picnic tables, park benches, gardens, new lines on the basketball court and a mural painted on the pavilion floor next to the playground.

“We think these types of projects are essential in keeping communities vibrant, family friendly and getting kids outside away from video games,” said KaBoom’s Lian Mah. “Opus South has been extremely supportive and willing to go the extra mile for this great project.”

Opus South’s Mary Jo Bateman, office manager/executive assistant, said, “The new playground itself is awesome and such an improvement over what they had before. It is a great feeling when you are putting your hands to work to achieve an effort extremely worthwhile.” The playground, she said, is something all of us can be proud benefiting the children and adults in the community.

For further playground photos and information, just click on the Fountain Heights’ playground web site – KaBoom.