Cranberry Quaker Steak & Lube is New Business Ambassador for Kids Castle Playground

The restaurant is donating a portion of proceeds from sales to the upcoming playground in Cranberry.

Another local restaurant is throwing its support behind the upcoming Cranberry Kids Castle Playground at Community Park.  Stella Tomko, marketing manager for Quaker Steak & Lube in Cranberry, said the restaurant is now a Business Ambassador for the playground, which will replace the wooden Playtime Palace at the park. “We are very happy and excited to take part in such a huge project,” Tomko said. From 5 to 10 p.m. on the first Monday of each month for the next six months, Quaker Steak & Lube will donate 10 percent of the proceeds of any food purchase to the playground project. To qualify, customers must either show a flyer that supports the playground or their "official" Playground Designer Membership Cards. The “PDMC” cards were given …

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Cranberry Kids Castle: It Takes a Playground to Build a Community and Vice Versa

Sandy Hook native Erin McClymonds blogs about the importance of a united community.

Goodbye Playtime Palace, Hello Cranberry Kids Castle

Plans are in the works to raze the wooden play structure at Cranberry Community Park and replace it with a new, innovative play area.

When Playtime Palace opened in Cranberry's Community Park more than 20 years ago, it was known as the region’s premier playground destination. “It was our signature community asset,” said Cranberry Supervisor Chairman Bruce Mazzoni. Cranberry CUP founder Cathy Cortazzo recalled taking her twins, now age 25, from their home in Economy to Cranberry to play on the community-built palace. “I loved taking them there,” she said. But time and usage have taken its toll on the wooden structure. With maintenance issues that include decaying support posts, splitting wood, sharp edges and insect infestation, the structure has earned the nickname “Splinter Palace” from some users.  The castle-like playground also does not meeting current safety …

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Back to School: Haine Elementary Gets New Playground

The PTO buys new, ADA-compliant equipment for students.

Haine Elementary students are in for a treat when they return to school next week—a new playground. “The kids are going to be so stoked,” said Chris Sherry, outgoing president of the Haine School Parent Teacher Organization. The PTO funded $16,000 for the new playground, which was installed last week by Snider and Associates. The jungle gym—which includes a slide and monkey bars—replaces two outdated structures. “It was starting to show its wear,” Sherry said of the old equipment. Through the Burke Cash 4 Kids Grant, the PTO received a $5,400 discount on the playground, Sherry said. The new Burke-brand equipment also is ADA complaint. “It will really give all kids the ability to use it,” Sherry said. The organization paid for the equipment…

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