Ferris State Student-Athletes Lend A Helping Hand At Playscape

The whole of the project equals the sum of all the parts.

That adage was reinforced this Monday (June 20) as student-athletes from the Ferris State University men's ice hockey and football teams along with members of the Big Rapids (Mich.) High School varsity boys' hockey team collectively joined together to work on a Playscape maintenance project at Hemlock Park in Big Rapids.   

The student-athletes were among over 50 individuals to participate in the landscaping Playscape project.  The Playscape facility, which was built 19 years ago, received a "makeover" of sorts as at least a foot deep of special finely-shredded mulch was evenly spread throughout the playground to address the top priority of safety for the children.  The 140-cubic feet of mulch was generously donated by the Friends of Playscape and the City of Big Rapids. 

Lowe's Home Improvement was also an active participant in this year's Playscape project with a landscape donation of flowers and shrubs along the facility's exterior fence.  Employees from Lowe's also volunteered their services in the project.

"We're very appreciative of those who volunteered their time and efforts in this project," said Big Rapids Playscape Chairperson Leslie Daniels.  "Everyone worked exceptionally hard to see this project through to its completion."   

"What a great experience this is for our student-athletes to give back to the community," said Ferris State hockey head coach Bob Daniels.  "The cross cooperation of those teams (hockey and football) involved built a lot of camaraderie among the groups.  It was gratifying to see a lot of people come together for this community event to help children and also give back to the local community." 

Former Bulldog hockey standout and Big Rapids native Cody Chupp (2006-10) also volunteered in the community project.