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It takes a village to raise a child, the saying goes, and in Sacramento it often takes a community to build – and rebuild – the parks and playgrounds children love so much.

Residents of East Sacramento and other nearby neighborhoods were left reeling after an early morning fire destroyed much of the children’s playground in McKinley Park, one of the city’s most popular parks. Now, neighbors, families, community leaders and local businesses are pulling together to recover from the loss – and you can help.

City Councilman Steve Cohn, who represents the district where McKinley Park is located, established a “Gifts to Share” account through the city of Sacramento dedicated to the McKinley Park playground rebuild. Anyone can send tax-deductible donations through GTS, and the money is held in an account exclusively for the McKinley Park project. Donations can be made by check, payable to "Gifts to Share/McKinley Playground," and mailed to City Councilman Steve Cohn at City Hall, 915 I Street, 5th floor, Sacramento, CA 95814. More information can be found on the city’s website or by calling Cohn’s City Hall office at 808-7003.

[Note: Cohn will participate in a Sac Press Live chat Wednesday at noon with our readers]

Other local organizations that are accepting donations to add to the rebuilding effort include the Friends of East Sacramento, which regularly hosts volunteer days to clean up the park. The group announced on its Facebook page that they are extending their volunteer efforts for the rebuild of the playground. Information is available via email at friendsofeastsac@aol.com or, to make a tax deductible donation via PayPal go to friendsofeastsac.org.

Another group that has stepped up to help is the Friends of Bertha Henschel Park, an organization associated with another nearby East Sacramento city park. To help, contact Friends of Bertha Henschel at BerthaHenschel@gmail.com

A new community organization, East Sac Give Back, has also established a method for donors to contribute to the rebuild effort. The group immediately started raising money when the news of the fire broke, and CEO Michael Saeltzer reports they have raised $2,100 so far.

Anyone interested in making a donation to the park rebuild through East Sac Give Back can do it through their GoFundMe website.The group’s application for tax-exempt status is still pending.

Cohn said he has been impressed by the outpouring of community support even at this early stage.

“I’m hearing from people from all over the city and even from outside Sacramento,” Cohn said Monday. “This playground has affected so many people’s lives over the past 20 years. Everyone is rallying to do a rebuild.”

Cohn said donations to help get the playground rebuilt have varied from a $5,000 commitment from State Sen. Darrell Steinberg to the jingling coins in a piggy bank, offered to Cohn at his doorstep by a 7-year-old neighbor over the weekend.

“That’s the thing about McKinley Park,” Cohn said. “It is a community park with a neighborhood feeling and it means a lot to all of us.”

Melissa Corker is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow her on Facebook and on Twitter @MelissaCorker.

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Michael Saeltzer

edited on July 31, 2012 | 9:13 AM

Thanks Melissa,

Many of the people I am speaking to are turning their attention away from the initial shock and anger and towards some great ideas regarding rebuilding the play structure.

Have you heard anything from the City regarding how they plan to engage communities to ensure that what is rebuilt is representative of their thinking? Park play structures have come a long way since I was a child. Sometimes the "modern structures" don't seem very well done, and at other times I am really impressed. What can we do to ensure that this rebuilding effort is measured, researched, careful, transparent, and inclusive of not only those of us in East Sacramento, but from all over Sacramento?

Many of the donors and East Sac Give Back members are not East Sacramento residents and still consider the park theirs which is no wonder considering its age, and the memories so many families have created there. Obviously there is a lot of controversy regarding city process, insurance, use of funds, oversight, and process. What can we do to ensure accountability, due process, and full community engagement? For example, before we commit to any particular designer or company, perhaps its better to slow down a bit and explore all options.

Sincerely,
Michael Saeltzer
President, East Sac Give Back

PS. Some may think that East Sac Give Back was formed as a response to the fire. But, the organization was actually formally recognized as a Domestic Non-Profit Corporation, with pending tax exempt status, back in early May. Also, the mission of East Sac Give Back is to transcend traditional "boundaries" and bring communities together in order to better the quality of life for all. Our Bylaws were submitted to lawyers highly skilled in non-profit governance weeks ago. As soon as they are approved East Sac Give Back can apply to the IRS and the State for formal tax exempt status. When approved I am not sure if the donations we have received can be retroactively counted as tax deductions but I will find out. Until that time I have pledged to incur NO administrative costs. The 5% GoFundMe.com charges will be paid for by myself.

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cogmeyer

July 31, 2012 | 2:56 PM

McDonalds has known to make big donations to build playgrounds, it might be worthwhile to contact them.

http://www.playgroundforzahra.org/campaign_nears_170000.html

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Trina Drotar

July 31, 2012 | 9:08 AM

After Fort Natomas, another community-built playground, was burned down (for the second time - 6 months after the initial rebuild), the City worked with the community, especially the children, to design a new playground where Fort Natomas used to be. Additionally, the City worked with the community to relocate Fort Natomas. That community, like this one, is acting quickly, as they must, and it will take more than simply the community or simply the City to rebuild the playground.

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Michael Saeltzer

July 31, 2012 | 9:26 AM

Excellent Trina,

Thank you so much for focusing this on the children's voice too. I completely respect the hard work, time and money, those of my generation (I am 46) placed into the Park. But I need to remember what worked before may not be relevant for today and the future. My children, ages 4 and 6, continually humble me with their ideas, imagination, and "why not" approach to Life.

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BobR

July 31, 2012 | 9:41 AM

I wonder if anyone has a target of how much $$ needs to be raised to rebuild this great playground. Hopefully the new place will have a few cameras positioned at select places to take wonderful photos of any dung-dwellers attempting to vandalize this place in the future.

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cogmeyer

July 31, 2012 | 1:15 PM

Sounds like a replacement will cost several hundred thousand dollars.

Since playground arson is a relatively common occurrence around here, it may make better sense to direct donations towards the purchase of insurance policies to protect remaining play structures. Instead of rebuilding one structure which may just get burnt down again.

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TWRL

July 31, 2012 | 7:56 PM

No existing insurance? Odd.

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Lisa Schmidt

July 31, 2012 | 1:33 PM

Councilman Cohn and the City’s Gifts to Share Program is now set up to accept donations directly on line.

To make a donation go to https://npo.networkforgood.org/Donate/Donate.aspx?npoSubscriptionId=1001163

and hit the Program Designation tab for “Rebuild McKinley Park”

All donations are tax deductible and the Tax ID for this fund is #94-2985546

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tHeNa

July 31, 2012 | 2:05 PM

It is very unfortunate that some "people" do not consider how they're actions effect others... Whether it was a homeless person who dropped a cigarette that ignited this problem, or vandals who thought it would make them appear bold & fearless to cause such chaos!! In this case our children are the ones who suffer the most. However, this is a great opportunity to teach all of the kids that go to this park important life lessons... Not playing with fire!!.... How something that takes a split second of carelessness can cause a greater harm (assuming it happened due to vandalism) Countless lessons are lying here depending on the view of others & how they see this could have happened. Most importantly, let us show our children how to come together & be positive in spite of others actions. Let's rebuild!!!!!!

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emaher

August 1, 2012 | 12:15 AM

The no insurance is the City's way of telling you that they self insured but hope not to pay. Make them pay up. They are notorious for not doing so when City vehicles hit yours. I've been there. Ask any insurance agent.

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thsas

edited on August 1, 2012 | 9:47 AM

Self insured, by taxing people? Seems like insurance would cost less than the new construction.

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Lindsey Valenti

August 1, 2012 | 3:42 PM

Join the Metro Chamber August 2, 6-8 p.m., for Volunteer Power Hour with the Sacramento Tree Foundation at McKinley Park. Several trees were damaged this weekend in the playground fire and volunteers are needed to help apply mulch rings around the trees. Consider giving an hour of your time. McKinley Park could use a little extra love this week.

Details:
http://metrochamber.org/External/WCPages/WCEvents/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=9281

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KimRodda

edited on August 17, 2012 | 7:13 PM

I would like to know where we go to sign up to help with man hours to rebuild the park. I know the last time this park was built it was done in a day or so with all the community members pitching in to help. I hope we can do this again. My family can't donate money, but we would love to donate our time!

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