A local elementary school got its playground improved this weekend thanks to students in Errington House of Wallace Hall and Multi-Cultural Action Group of Union Drive Association. The groups volunteered their services and time to help improve the playground Saturday morning.

Fellows Elementary School, 1400 McKinley Dr., received a face-lift for the playground’s wooden castle.

The castle received a thorough inspection, sanding and a weather-stain treatment to prevent decay from this upcoming winter’s weather. Nearly 20 volunteers were present for the project, including parents, local residents and Iowa State students and staff.

Beth Marrs, a Fellows Elementary PTA member, helped organize the project. Doug Gruenewald, complex manager of resident life in Towers, organized the drive to recruit volunteers.

The project began at 9 a.m. and the volunteers finished before noon. The project took less time to complete than what was initially anticipated. “We finished in record time,” Marrs said.

“We were supposed to do it last spring, but weather didn’t permit,” she said. Due to the change of plans, new volunteers were needed for the project.

MCAG’s cabinet was among the volunteers.

Mike Matthews, MCAG publicity chair, said he had fun staining the equipment. “I felt it was an awarding experience, and I felt I made a contribution to the youth of Ames.”

The finishing touch of the project was the application of the caution tape around the newly stained castle. The caution tape serves as a safety feature to prevent children from playing on the castle while the stain is drying.

The youth of Ames will have to wait a few days before they can use their newly stained playground, but it will be worth the wait in the long run. Volunteers hope the new improvements will help maintain the condition of the playground and prevent accidents from happening.