A Swissvale non-profit organization has found itself without a suitable playground after a car chase ended on the property last week.
According to those at Angels' Place Inc., an organization that offers support to single, low-income parents and their children, a police chase ended in the Swissvale Center's playground on July 11. Though no one was hurt or injured, most of the playground was completely destroyed.
Darla Laughlin, a teacher at the Woodstock Avenue center, said staff reported to work on Thursday and found the fence, swings, a wooden balance beam, the mulch and a climbing rock to be destroyed.
The playground was the product of two years of fundraising and sweat equity, and it was only one year old, according to Laughlin.
"It's so devastating," she said. "We only had it for a year and it's ruined."
Those at Angels' Place are determining if insurance will cover some costs, but Laughlin said the organization's deductible is "pretty high.
"A playground is fun and wonderful, but when you take operating costs into consideration, a playground gets put on the back burner," she said.
Anyone interested in donating money toward a new playground is welcome to do so by mailing them to Angels Place Inc., 2615 Norwood Avenure Pgh Pa 15214, or at www.angelsplacepgh.org. Contributions must note that they are to go toward the repair or replacement of the Swissvale Center's playground.
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