Pennies for Play

The Communities of International Falls and Hibbing, Minnesota have joined together to lure the Minnesota Vikings to visit their towns as a part of the 2011 “You Made the Team” Community Tour.

The two northern Minnesota communities will participate in a friendly competition in an effort to entice the team to visit and to encourage active living in their children. The competition is called “Pennies for Play.” In Hibbing the money raised will benefit the Greenhaven Community Playground on 6th Avenue East and 33rd St. In International Falls the money raised will benefit Kerry Park on 11th Street.

The money will be raised until the Vikings visit or until the end of the school year, whichever comes first.

Coin receptacles will be placed throughout the communities. Citizens are encouraged to contribute. To follow the progress of the project, visit www.ifallsnet.com/pennies.htm

Anyone looking for more information or wishing to volunteer to assist with the fundraising should contact: Lory Fedo, President, Hibbing Area Chamber of Commerce
218-262-3895 lfedo@hibbing.org

Hibbing’s Greenhaven Community Playground:
The Greenhaven Community Playground is located on the corner of 33rd Street and 6th Avenue East in Hibbing. It is currently surrounded by a chain link fence and has older playground equipment on the east side of the lot. The west side of the lot is currently a mowed grassy area.

We would like to develop a park that would serve the youngest children in the area. The playground is located across the street from the Greenhaven Apartments. These apartments are subsidized housing serving low income residents. Average household income is less than $12, 000 per year. There are currently 60 children ages 5 and under living in these apartments. The neighboring houses are close to the Greenhaven Elementary School and likely have many additional young children in residence.
Creating a community park that serves those under 5 would promote parental involvement and help to foster a sense of pride in the park. We envision updating the equipment, planting shade trees, adding picnic tables or sitting areas and perhaps a mini soccer field.