'We Built it Together ... Again'

They could barely contain their excitement, but children at Sunday night waited until all the speeches were done before running through a tunnel of adults, just like the children did at the playground’s first opening in 1992.

“We built it together … again,” said Keith Omlor, chair of the Friends of Fullerton. “I’d like to start by thanking the Town Council and the township for letting us go this route. They could have had someone come in and build it overnight. This way was much more fulfilling and rewarding.”

More than 1,500 volunteers signed up for 4- to 5-hour shifts during the five-day build. The volunteers were led by captains, who were at the build every day: Patti Boyle, Randy Boyle, Rick Crane, Michelle Barber, Frank Cannavo, Harry Mayer, Jay Taylor, Eric Ravikio, Brad Kenney, Sandy Maguire, Jeff Fazler, Bob Bertino, Bill Tindall and Spencer Tait.

"They were skilled, unskilled, food servers, first aid and people who were keeping the chaos under control,” Omlor said. “It couldn’t have happened without the many sponsors and donors. Thank you. Thank you to all the folks who came out for everything you’ve done.”

The Friends of Fullerton committee raised between $80,000 and $90,000 toward the cost of the playground, estimated at $200,000 to $250,000. The original playground, also designed by Leathers and Associates and built by the community in 1992, was taken down last year when it was determined to be unsafe.

“This is a very special park, named after a very special person,” Mayor John Button said.

The park was dedicated to Frank Fullerton, a sergeant on the Moorestown Police Department, on Memorial Day 1980. The dedication came less than a year after Fullerton died from injuries sustained after he was shot three times while pursuing suspects in a liquor store robbery. Fullerton, who was 48 at the time of his death, was a 24-year veteran of the police force.

Fullerton’s son, David, and his grandsons, David and Paul, participated in the build. More than a dozen of his relatives were at the ribbon-cutting ceremony Sunday.

“Words can’t even sum up what’s happened here,” said Button. “This is a perfect example of public and private collaboration. We thank you more than we can express.”

With the cutting of the ribbon, the park was officially opened at approximately 6:30 p.m. May 1.

“The new park is awesome,” said Scott Sommese, who was at the opening with his wife Karen and their two children.

“I think it’s awesome,” said Dominic Sommese, 7. His sister Juliana, 10, agreed: “I think it’s fun.”

“It’s a great way to bring the community together,” said Susan Constantine. “It’s magical.”

Although darkness surround the park, the playground was illuminated with bright spotlights allowing children to test all the features including several slides, bridges, swings and more.

“It’s great,” said William McClafferty, 7. “It’s so cool, I don’t have a favorite.”

Although he said he did prefer the twisty slide to the straight slide.

Kira Locatell, 6, had two favorites.

“The tire swing because I can stand and twist on it. And I like the train because daddy built it.”

Fullerton Park Playground by the Numbers:

• 1500 volunteers
• 170 tons of stone (donated by Leonberg Nursery)
• 440 yards of playground mulch
• 30,000 screws
• 60,000 pounds of structural plastic
• 100,000 pounds of total materials used