“The Carolinian village playground is really in a bad shape because only the swing stuff is left and there is a tire that is tied to it and is the only thing hanging,” In Bum Choo, an 11th grader of Marianas High School, said in his report.
Choo, who is aspiring to become an eagle scout, led fellow Scouts Richard Defan and Harrison Smith in rating the condition of the playgrounds.
Choo’s team went around the selected playgrounds and parks to rate the structures based on the prevailing physical condition of the equipment and its safety hazards to the users.
Their project, Choo said in an interview, is part of their community service to obtain 21 merit badges required to become an eagle scout.
Choo is a life scout of Troop 913.
“It’s an eagle scout project that aims to help the community, and I must show leadership and organization skills in preparing,” he said.
The playgrounds his team inspected were:
• Paupau Beach — It is in bad shape, broken and rusty. The rides are all broken and dangerous for children to play with.
• Tanapag — the playground is still looking good but some structures need to be repaired and replaced.
• Pakpak Beach — The play pen is in bad shape and dangerous for users. There are a lot of rusts and holes, and the structure is broken.
• Susupe — The playground is still good but the wood is falling apart and needs to be fixed. Some bolts are missing. The structure is falling apart, damaged and broken.
• Coral Ocean Point — the playground is in bad shape because plants have covered the structure. Everything is broken including the swing.
• Carolinian Village — the playground is in bad shape.
Choo said they spent four days to go inspect the playgrounds and parks.
“I think the project will benefit the community if it results in the repair of these playgrounds. If they fix them, kids won’t get hurt. Parent won’t have to worry as their children play,” he said.
Calistro Reyes, island director of the Boy Scouting Program in the CNMI, said they will submit the report to the Division of Parks and Recreation, the Marianas Visitors Authority, the Saipan Rotary Club, the Saipan Chamber of Commerce, the 17th Legislature, the Saipan mayor’s office and the Saipan and Northern Islands Municipal Council.
Reyes said he will discuss with the Boy Scout council the possibility of also inspecting other playgrounds on island.
He also encouraged non-government groups to help repair these playgrounds.
Boni Sagana, Dekada Movement president, told Reyes their group is willing to provide manpower for the maintenance of the playground.
Choo’s project was supported by Boy Scout officials, unit leader Valrich Welch, advancement committee chairman William Hunter, Troop 913 adult leaders Christina Smith and Shawn Davis.
