On a day of solemn remembrance of the tragic events in 2001, the evening of September 11, 2014 would hold a ray of sunshine and spark of hope for the future. At the corner of Evans and Calumet Streets, inside the Butterfield Pavilion, the air was magical as the ceremony of celebration and passing of the torch began. Kaye Frataccia, Leadership Team Co-Chair, ValPLAYso-The Next Generation!, began the evening by welcoming everyone to the event. At the request of Frataccia, the crowd rose, said the pledge of allegiance, then paused for a moment of silence in remembrance of September 11, 2001.
Among the attendees witnessing the event were adults, one of whom was a child at the time the original capsule was buried, and children of numerous ages.
"The memory of ValPLAYso 1994 is special to many people in our community. We remember the community spirit of that building process and we are able to see the lasting impact this project has had on our community over the past 20 years" Frataccia said.
The first event of the evening was the reveal of the 1994 time capsule and its' contents. As Frataccia was joined on stage by Sandy Horne, serving as the 1994 Children's Committee Co-Chairs, they spoke of their remembrances and the highlights of the original event.
The capsule, buried when the original ValPLAYso was constructed in October 1994, was unearthed on August 2, 2014 during the demolition of the old park.
"As we open the time capsule, we see names and faces of young people with so many dreams before them. They were children designing and building the park of their dreams. Today, many of those same faces are leaders in our community. They are now the parents, businessmen, teachers, etc. Children we saw as our "future" in 1994, are now becoming adults of the "present" in 2014. It is now time for my generation to pass the torch to the next generation. I am confident our future will be in capable hands," Frataccia said.
"I can't wait to see the contents of the 1994 time capsule. Knowing 20 years from now that the next generation will be doing the same is too cool," Monica Decker, 2014 Children's Committee Co-Chair said.
What type of memorabilia would the 1994 Children's Committee have stored in there? The question would be quickly answered as the giddy crowd erupted with cheers of approval as the first item, a bundle of newspapers with articles about the original build was revealed. Included among the items were photos, a geography lesson, a yearbook and memorabilia from various local schools.
As the last item of the 1994 capsule was viewed, it was then time for the ceremonial passing of the torch. To be included in the 2014 capsule, the torch, held by the 1994 Children's Committee Co-Chairs, Frataccia and Horne, was presented to the 2014 Co-Chairs, Decker and Kevin Kosek.
The stage was set for the preparation of the 2014 time capsule. The Children's Committee was eager to fill the new capsule. Each member placed a photo of him/herself in the capsule and signed it. Along with the individual photos, additional articles placed in the capsule would include Legos, a football, Playstation controller, Highlights magazine, a newspaper ad, a church flyer, and various 2014 ValPLAYso newspaper articles. After the capsule was filled, Decker and Kosek would ready it for sealing and burial during the week of October 6-12, 2014, at the build of the new ValPLAYso, The Next Generation!
"Being the co-chair of the Children's Committee for ValpPLAYso-The Next Generation!, has been one of the most amazing experiences. Getting to know Kevin has been so great. We work so well together! Getting the kids involved in this project as a whole was very special to me. Seeing how one child can make a difference in this community was eye-opening. I have learned so much from these children, and every picture, meeting, event that I get to see them and interact with them has been a blessing," Decker said.
Riley Wojslaw, Children's Committee member and 4th grader at Northview Elementary School said she enjoyed being on the committee and that one of her favorite times was when they visited Family Express and got to take home cookies or muffins.
"It continues to amaze me at how generous this community is," Karen Vogelsang, Chairperson for the Capital Campaign, ValPLAYso-The Next Generation! said. "We want to make this project happen for this generation and those going forward."
Drew Zromkoski, Co-Chair, Face Plates Committee, only a child himself at the original build, spoke to the crowd about the transition from the old hand tiles to the new face plates. He informed the crowd that there are still Face Plates available for purchase by visiting the ValPLAYso website.
"I have always enjoyed being a part of the Valpo Parks. I grew up playing baseball in the parks system and even worked for the department for a time. So, when I wanted to start giving back to the community the first place I looked was the Valpo Parks Foundation, and when ValPLAYso-The Next Generation! was announced, it was a perfect fit. I was six when the first park was built and remember my mom taking me to get my handprint tile made. So, when I heard about the idea for the Face Plates at the new park, I jumped at the idea of helping out and making the Face Place as amazing as the hand tiles." he said. "I want people who get a Face Plate made to have the same feeling I get when I see the hand tile that I made 20 years ago."
Rob Thorgren, Co-Chair, ValPLAYso-The Next Generation!, spoke to the crowd about the need for additional volunteers for the build beginning on October 6th saying, "As fun and exciting as it is to see what the time capsule of 20 years held, I am excited to build the most state of the art playground this area has ever seen! Without the help of our great citizens, this park will not be possible. Please go to www.valplayso.com and click on volunteer to be a part of something that will be enjoyed by children for decades."
During the event, sign-ups for volunteers and donations were held and t-shirts and faceplates were available for purchase. The evening concluded with the crowd viewing the memorabilia from the old capsule and various items on display from the viking ship from the original playground.
For more information regarding, ValPLAYso-The Next Generation!, please visit the website at www.valplayso.com or call 219-462-5144.