Metal Drive Means Cash for Park

The steel grating, rods and appliances tossed into cold Dumpsters clanged Saturday morning.

But the sound they will soon support will be those of kids climbing playground equipment; adults gabbing on benches; and basketballs bouncing on a court.

volunteers recently topped the 100-ton mark in collected metal.

The money from the recycled metal will finance the park's construction.

Work will start soon.

"We're hoping to start this year, or spring for sure," said Jackson Park volunteer Kevin Donaher.

Kevin, Joe Markarian and John Picariello unloaded trunks and pickup truck beds Saturday.

The items included air conditioners, refrigerators, scrap metal and pipes. Even an old-model, shortwave radio set.

Louis Zetes dropped off an air conditioner, some metal pieces from an oil burner and metal rods.

"It's great because otherwise this stuff would go to the dump," he said.

Donaher estimated that the metal collected Saturday will net anywhere from $800 to $1,000 for the park.

The Jackson Park Project receives 75 percent of the metal's value and the scrap metal yard they trade with in Everett keeps 25 percent, covering transportation costs, Donaher said.

The playground equipment does not come cheap so the crews will continue to collect metal next year.

The volunteers collected Saturday at but in the spring will return to their traditional collection spot at the DPW garage lot off Paradise Road.

For information on how to help contact Kevin Donaher at 617-512-3714 or deddrock@gmail.com.