Scouts write a new chapter in story of Little Library

Possibility Playground is known for the equipment that allows children of all abilities to play together, but now families have another reason to spend time at Port Washington’s Upper Lake Park.

The Little Free Library next to the playground, which had been damaged beyond repair by vandals last fall — was rebuilt by a dozen Webelos from Cub Scout Den 3837 led by Chris Leinss.

It was, in many ways, a labor of love for the Scouts, Cubmaster Eric Hill said, noting many of the boys grew up with the park and it holds a special place in their heart.
Each of the Scouts had a direct hand in making and installing the library, Hill said. 

They’ve taken such pride in their work that they placed the Boy Scout symbol on the back of it and signed it, he added.

“I’m really impressed with what the Scouts were able to come up with,” Hill said. “It’s quite an upgrade.”

The new library is a far cry from the old one, a simple boxy structure built by Boy Scouts in Troop 837 when they were working on their woodworking badge in 2014. 

The Boy Scout troop has since disbanded.

This library has a shingled roof with a copper cap, gracefully swooping arches and a stylized door. Inside, there are shelves to accommodate more books than before.

The library was designed by Leinss, a Webelos den leader whose Scouts were doing a build-it project, Hill said.

The Scouts placed the library in the park and filled it with books on April 12, meeting their goal of having it installed for the Hippity Hoppity Easter egg hunt the following day.

“We have a lot of children’s books in there,” Hill said.

The library gets a lot of use, said Karen Oleski, a member of the Greater Port Washington Kiwanis Club, which sponsors Cub Scout Den 3837 and has been a supporter of Possibility Playground since it was first proposed.

“It’s one of the most heavily used little libraries,” Oleski said. 

Not only do children pick out books to read while at the park or at home, their parents will often make a selection when they bring youngsters to the playground, she said.

“It’s an integral part of the playground,” Oleski said. “It’s just a natural for families coming there with their children.

“I’m told that in summer we could fill it twice a week there’s such a demand.”

Hill concurred, saying the library “does get used quite a bit. We encourage the idea of borrow a book, bring a book.”

Noting that not just the library but also the restrooms and playground equipment has been vandalized, Hill said he hopes the city will install cameras to deter people from misusing the park and to identify them if they do.