BALTIMORE (April 5, 1999) -- The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and Maryland Environmental Service (MES) are seeking volunteers to help build a unique scrap tire playground this month at Seneca Creek State Park, in Gaithersburg, Montgomery County. The project, which has been designed by Learning Structures Inc., of Portsmouth, N.H., will recycle scrap tires in the playground's structures and ground cover. Construction of the project will begin Thursday, April 15, and be completed on Saturday, April 17. Construction activities will begin each day at 8 a.m. Teams of volunteers will construct the playground using scrap tires and lumber. Lunch and T-shirts will be provided to participants. The project is being funded through MDE's Used Tire Cleanup and Recycling Fund. The fund is generated from the collection of one dollar for every new tire sold in Maryland. MDE uses the funds for scrap tire cleanup, projects and for implementation of a licensing program. MES is managing the design, materials placement and construction of the playground. DNR is providing the playground site and is coordinating with local communities to secure the equipment. Similar playgrounds have been built at Patapsco Valley, Gunpowder Falls, Cunningham Falls, Calvert Cliffs, Tuckahoe and Dan's Mountain state parks. These playgrounds are popular recreational attractions. Volunteers of all skill levels are needed to make this project a success, from experienced carpenters to beginners. For more information, contact :

• Abigail Pascual of MDE at (410) 537-3315
• Darren Fischer of MES at (410) 974-7254
• Ranger Dorothy Kengla of DNR at (301) 924-2127

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