Signature Children's Park inaugurated in Galle

Colombo, December 26, 2005: Thousands of Sri Lankan children affected by the tsunami will enjoy the healing effects of playing together after the United States and the Galle Municipal Council inaugurated on Monday the first of 85 new play parks for kids.

The new Galle Municipal Council Signature Children's Park, located at Dharmapala Park, is among 85 to be installed or rehabilitated in 13 tsunami-affected districts. It is one of the four largest "signature" parks designed for high-population areas.

Chief guests at the event included Galle Mayor Mohammad Ariff, U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Jeffrey J. Lunstead, and USAID Mission Director Dr. Carol R. Becker. A large number of community members, including hundreds of children, were on hand to break in the new play equipment.

"Psychologists agree that the ability to play has a significant positive impact on children's recovery from trauma," Dr. Becker said. "While the memory of the tragedy of the tsunami will live forever in the minds and hearts of Sri Lankans, I hope that over the forthcoming months and years ahead, this park will help restore the sounds of laughter and the joy of childhood that the tsunami so mercilessly took away."

Funding for the $2 million parks project comes from USAID, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, and the Bush-Clinton Tsunami Relief Fund. It is being implemented by Sarvodaya, the largest Sri Lankan non-governmental Organisation in the country.

"This project is a fine example of a public-private partnership to improve the quality of life for the thousands of Sri Lankan children whose lives were displaced by the tsunami", said U.S. Ambassador Jeffrey Lunstead. "Though a year has passed, the scars of last year's tragedy will be long in healing", Mindful of the solemnity of the many commemorations of this anniversary, the event took place in the late afternoon.

To implement the project, Sarvodaya is working closely with the Ministry of Local Government, local municipalities and members of tsunami-affected communities, as local ownership is key to success. Sarvodaya is also working with Galle partners to ensure appropriate placement of the parks and regular maintenance.

All the equipment is imported from the United States, and meets American and European standards of safety and durability. The parks will be designed to be family-friendly, and encourage multi-ethnic participation and community access, including access for the disabled.

USAID officials said they hope to have two more parks completed by the end of the year, and install approximately 10 per month until all 85 are in place.