Project Promise Partners With DSPR, Denmark Group To Rehab Canegata Playground

ST. CROIX — Project Promise, in collaboration with the Virgin Islands Department of Sports Parks and Recreation (DSPR), and a visiting group from Denmark, on Tuesday renovated the playground at the D.C. Canegata Ballpark and Recreation Center, Project Promise has made known.

Volunteers from Project Promise, volunteers from HÖJSKOLENDK, workers from VIDSPR, and students from Project Promise’s Caterpillar Project installed four new swings, and painted the swing sets, the slides, and the merry-go-round at the Canegata playground. The effort was part of a Project Promise community service project in partnership with the Danish folk school HÖJSKOLENDK, who has been sending students annually to the V.I. for more than five years to assist the local community, according to the release.

Officials from Project Promise entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the VIDSPR in January to collaborate on the upkeep and maintenance of one public playground annually. The Canegata project is the first playground to be rehabilitated since the two entered into the agreement. Project Promise president and founder Resa O’Reilly said it’s part of the organization’s goal to give back to the community, and ensure that the program’s students learn the importance of giving back.

“The Community Service Component is an excellent opportunity for our participants to positively impact the lives of others,” Ms. O’Reilly said.

In addition to the installation of new swings at the playground, the volunteer group cleaned and disinfected playground equipment, picked up trash in the surrounding area and painted the picnic table and benches.

“I’d like to thank Commissioner Pedro Cruz for partnering with us on this project,” she added. The nonprofit extended special thanks to the DSPR for their support of the project, the HÖJSKOLENDK group for their assistance rehabbing the Canegata playground, Princesse Hardware for sponsoring the purchase of the new swings and the Virgin Islands Fire Services for pressure washing the equipment prior to the clean-up.

For more information about The Caterpillar Project, or other Project Promise programs, please contact Resa O’Reilly at (340) 244-3242. Project Promise is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of at-risk youth on St. Croix by providing empowerment initiatives, cultural programs and family services. To learn more about Project Promise, please visit the website at www.projectpromisevi.com .