Volunteers working on a playground near completion in Prosper say the project is a way to show where their town's values truly lie.
Dozens of volunteers have been fundraising for and working at the Windmill Playground site at Frontier Park. Some volunteers work as many as 16 hours in a day.
"There has been an army of volunteers out here," teacher Trina Harlow said.
Money for the playground came entirely from community support.
The project has been in the works for more than a year. Volunteers said it is the town's first community-built project.
"This is one of the events that brings everyone together," volunteer Meigs Miller said.
People working on the project Friday morning said it is time their town received some positive attention after Prosper was thrust into the spotlight because five high school students were arrested in connection with sexual assault allegations.
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"I've lived in Prosper for 12 years, and I've been a teacher here for a long time," Harlow said. "There are a lot of great things that go on in this community."
"This is what's reflective of Prosper -- not the stuff that is going on," Miller said.
The playground's design features elements of Prosper and Texas history -- included hand-painted artwork by volunteers. The design started in Prosper schools, where students were asked what they would like to see in a public space.
Volunteers and coordinators said the playground project has introduced them to neighbors and built a stronger community.
"I'm proud of the people I'm meeting," volunteer Hulon Webb said. "That's been almost better than the build itself."
The Windmill Playground should be publicly dedicated Sunday.
