Mike Walters of Iron Workers Local 512 and Mike Bubalo of Laborers Local 563 (foreground) install pavers at the Sheridan playground. Other Building Trades members work in the background.

The project, completed Thursday at Sheridan Arts Magnet School in the city’s northeast neighborhood, involved about 50 union volunteers, Minneapolis Building & Construction Trades Council President Dan McConnell said. They included laborers, painters, electricians, iron workers, cement masons, roofers and bricklayers, as well as the Minnesota Laborers Employers Cooperation & Education Trust. The laborers also grilled hot dogs for the volunteers.

They collaborated with volunteers from the Toro Company, the Minnesota Vikings, Minneapolis Public Schools, KaBOOM and the YMCA of Metropolitan Minneapolis.

“As Laborers we have been blessed with the skills to help improve the lives of other people,” said Mike Bubalo, business agent for Laborers Local 563. “We are helping build more than a playground. We are building a community and place for childhood friendships to blossom into lifelong friendships.”

The new playground’s look, based on drawings created by Sheridan students who participated in a Design Day event, is a huge improvement, said Minneapolis School Board member Jenny Arneson. “Our playground was in a very sad-looking state.”

The project also provides other tangible benefits, she said.

“It’s great for the school kids to see people from the community modeling volunteering,” Arneson said.

“Many times unions are only noticed working on large scale projects. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth,” noted Bubalo. “It is these types of projects — like a playground at a community school — which make us very proud to do the work we do. We are proud union members who enjoy making a positive impact on other people’s lives.”

Members of Laborers Local 563 grilled and dished out hot dogs.

Volunteers installed playground equipment.