The Imagination Station in Brighton will closed this weekend so that volunteers can seal wooden structures at the playground.

The Imagination Station Playground Volunteer Group will be sealing the structures this Saturday, September 23rd. The city says the playground and adjacent parking spaces on Millpond Lane will need to be closed during the work and the Imagination Station will re-open Monday, September 25th. The work is needed as part of the Imagination Station Due Care Plan, which was approved by city council and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. Per that plan, all wooden surfaces at the playground are required to be sealed every two years.

Volunteer Coordinator Renee Pettengill tells WHMI it’s a bi-annual effort that saves taxpayers around $11,000, versus hiring the job out. She says it’s a true team effort that could not be done without the help of volunteers and DPW crews. Pettengill says they’re asking for adult and teen volunteers since they’re using chemicals. Gloves and masks will be provided. Although the work day is scheduled until noon, Pettengill says the more hands on deck, the faster they’ll get done.

Officials say a large number of volunteers are needed and those helping out will receive goody bags filled with incentives from local merchants. Anyone interested is invited to arrive at the Imagination Station pavilion at 9am Saturday. They can also contact Renee Pettengill at PettingillR@brightoncity.org. In the case of any rain or inclement weather, the sealing work will be done on Saturday, October 14th and the Imagination Station would re-open on Monday, October 16th. (JK)