Started last spring in response to the absence of Veishea, a student-led “operation” of community service will have its opportunity to be ingrained as a new ISU tradition with this year’s Veishea celebration.

On April 1, a group of ISU students descended on the Ames community for the second year in a row, intent on building an entire playground in eight hours. This year, the playground was built on the campus of the Beloit Residential Treatment Center, 1323 Northwestern Ave.

The event, Operation Playground, started in 2005 as a way for students to be involved in something during Veishea’s absence, said Mianne Gillam, senior in communication studies, and community involvement co-chairwoman for Veishea.

The original Operation Playground was put together by the student group Leaders INspiring Connections.

“Last year with LINC, we were looking for other events to involve the community,” Gillam said.

“We brainstormed ideas, and that’s originally how Operation Playground started.”

Although 2005’s Operation Playground built three playgrounds, the return of Veishea this year led to a refocusing of efforts.

“We decided to focus on one playground that’s the same size as last year’s,” Gillam said.

Gillam said the Beloit Residential Treatment Center was chosen as the site for Operation Playground II through word of mouth and suggestions from advisers. Ames’ mayor, Ann Campbell, said although she would prefer future sites to be on public property, the Beloit site was a good choice.

“When the kids were turned loose at the end to start playing, that alone was worth it,” Campbell said.

Campbell said the ribbon-cutting on April 2 was “really touching.”

“Seeing the various people there and helping out was heartwarming,” she said.

Gillam said Veishea, Inc. plans to continue the Operation Playground tradition for many years to come.

“We’d like to make Operation Playground synonymous with Veishea,” Gillam said. “It’s great to have a large scale service project every year.”

Campbell agreed that the program is beneficial for everyone.

“Interaction between campus and community is always in our best interest,” Campbell said.

The event continuing is a good sign for Operation Playground’s future, Campbell said.

“The reintroduction of Veishea has been made more inclusive of all parts of community,” she said.