MOUNTAIN FALLS, VA — Dianna Tate remembers when there were only six children her age in the Wilde Acres housing area of Mountain Falls Park.

In those days, the children shared a school bus with the residents in Shawneeland.

Sometimes Tate, 39, still can’t believe how much her Frederick County community has changed since the 1970s when she walked the woodland trails and caught salamanders with her small circle of friends.

"The community has grown tremendously," she said.

Approximately 350 families live there now — and nearly 40 elementary-aged children pack an entire school bus.

Those children of Mountain Falls Park need a nice place to play, she said, and she’s hoping a revamped playground could provide that.

Read more about the project here.

Other tidbits from the article.

• There is an existing playground, but the equipment is getting a little outdated, Tate said. "We’re looking at stuff that’s ancient."
• Tate and her husband, Jim, have joined with about 12 other families in Mountain Falls Park to raise $40,000 for a new playground.
• Maria Rivera said the little playground on Cougar Trail is a godsend because it would take more than 20 minutes to drive to another play area in the city or county.
• She estimates that 100 people use the playground on a regular basis.
• To raise money, families have started organizing doughnut sales, pancake breakfasts, and other grassroots efforts. Thus far, they’ve raised about $1,000 through doughnut sales.