Photo Credit: Project EverGreen
When something is near and dear to your heart, almost losing it makes you appreciate it even more. That situation nearly happened with Red Maple Park in Durham, N.C.
When a storm drain under the driveway to the park collapsed in early 2014, access to the athletic and recreational green spaces was cut off, and the city was forced to shut the park.
During that time, vandals stripped the park of virtually everything of value, from grills and picnic tables to the copper piping from the restrooms, which eventually had to be torn down. This left community residents frustrated and without a place for their kids to play.