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The Estes Valley Crisis Advocates (EVCA) is a nonprofit in Estes Park, CO, dedicated to supporting survivors of crime and trauma, providing services like safe housing, counseling, and community education. The crime and trauma events include, but are not limited to domestic violence, sexual assault, at-risk youth and adults, stalking, sudden and unattended death, accidents (vehicle, drowning, climbing), suicide survivors, emotional crises, secondary trauma, hate crimes, human trafficking, harassment, assault, elder abuse, robbery and arson. In 2024, they assisted 466 clients and provided 908 safe shelter nights.
Adjacent to the safe house is a fenced outside play space with several play structures for children to use. Two of the playsets are transitional playground equipment, suitable for toddlers, and appear in good working conditions. There is a third structure that is unstable and unsafe for use and does not have an appropriate safety zone surrounding the structure (per ASTM standards F1292). Playgrounds are important places for child development and enrichment where children can learn and play. The children at this Safe House particularly need a sense of normal play. Additionally, what benefits the children benefits the parents who are going through challenges associated with mostly domestic violence. Estes Valley Sunrise Rotary (EVSR) would like to replace the unstable structure with one suitable for ages 3-11 years of age and install the appropriate safety zone with protective surfacing. The area is directly adjacent to the Safe House and downhill from the rest of the yard so it should have suitable drains placed under the protective surface.
Funding: The project budget is anticipated to be approximately $6054. EVSR will fund $2018 and is applying for a District Tier 2 2:1 matching grant of $4036. The cost of removal of old structure and installing the new play set is $2500. The landscape materials will be $1260 and playground mulch will be $2200. A cast aluminum Rotary outdoor symbol will be attached at a cost of $94.
Planning: The Club Secretary will manage the project and associated record keeping. An individual has agreed to manage the project construction. There will be three phases: demolition of existing structures, installation of new playset, and then landscaping of the playground area. There is a 5-person planning committee and club members/community volunteers will be recruited for the various project phases.
Construction: EVSR will demolish and remove the current unstable structure. Additionally, the Rotarians and Interact students will install the new playset structure, apply a sealant, install two French drains and lay appropriate landscape materials (timber, landscape fabric, and playground bark) to create a safety zone per ASTM standard F1292 regulations. An aluminum die cast outdoor Rotary emblem will be attached to the play structure.
Maintenance: EVSR will commit to an annual Spring inspection of the area to ensure the area continues to meet safety standards. If maintenance work is identified, the Club will organize a community service project for the repairs.
Timeline: It anticipated that the project would begin in July 2025 and be completed August 2025 weather permitting.
Media Coverage: Upon completion, an article on the project will be placed in the Estes Park News with an accompanying photo of the group crew and Safe House staff. Additionally, an article with photos will be submitted to the online publication The Estes Valley Voice.
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