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Brothers’ memorial playground in need of funds for rebuild

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Austin and Justin Nolan died in a tragic ATV accident near their home in rural Prairie du Chien in August 2005.

The playground is pictured in its previous location, before it was taken down in April 2015 to make way for necessary additions to Prairie Catholic Schools

A beautiful picture of the playground equipment, with St. Gabriel's Catholic Church in the background.

By Correne Martin

A memorial playground honoring two brothers, who died in an ATV accident in 2005, has befittingly brought joy to hundreds of kids for the better part of a decade. So, when the Austin and Justin Nolan Memorial Playground was taken down from the Prairie Catholic School grounds in April 2015, to make way for a new gymnasium, it was difficult for parents Carrie and John Nolan to see happen. Thankfully, the deconstruction was not permanent.

The Nolans were assured by the school and parish administration that the play equipment would be rebuilt elsewhere on the grounds. The way Carrie understood it, at the time, was that it would be erected once again by means of a community build—just as it happened over the course of two days in July 2006. However, a month and a half ago, Carrie learned otherwise.

She said, the project coordinator who helped install it initially has retired and the company no longer allows community builds. One reason for that is because, to put the structures back together, there are nearly 200 pages of complicated instructions that must be used.

As she found out, the rebuild is going to cost about $15,000, while funding is also needed for surfacing of the playground—be it rubber or wood chips of some kind.

“I had to start fundraising immediately,” Carrie explained. “The goal is to have the playground reinstalled on Sept. 12, with that company.”

Over $125,000 toward the memorial playground was raised in cash or in-kind donations in 2005 and 2006, in the months after Austin, 9, and Justin, 7—the oldest of Carrie and John’s eight children—were killed when the ATV Austin was driving crashed with a pickup truck near their rural Prairie du Chien home.

“A year’s worth of fundraisers helped us collect what we needed. There was a benefit, the school had bake sales every week and so many people donated their talents, materials and time,” Carrie said. “It all means more than we can ever say. It’s not just for John and I, but for our family, friends, teachers and the community too.”

The facility includes not only the main play pieces but also a pavilion, courtyard, ornamental fencing and bench swing.

Carrie noted that the school is looking into starting a playground maintenance fund for perpetuity. Prairie Catholic’s day care is considering obtaining some toddler pieces to add to the area as well.

Carrie said she’d like to supply some shade in the vicinity, so she plans to apply for an American Academy of Dermatology grant, which could help acquire shade awnings.

The reconstructed Austin and Justin Memorial Playground will be located in the southeast corner of the school grounds, next to the pavilion.

To donate toward reinstallation, checks can be written to and dropped off at Prairie Catholic School.

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