The equipment, much of which was built about 70 years ago, did not comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and was seen as a liability.

But thanks to a few grants and the hard work of local residents, the community will have a new playground to use in a few weeks and probably another one next year.

Resident Don Peters said a grass-roots group of Santa Cruz Mountains residents called for new parks several years ago and asked him to take the lead in getting the project rolling. So he ran for and was elected to the board of directors for the Redwood Mutual Water Company, which manages recreational areas in the community.

Peters said he and other residents examined the possibility of installing used equipment, but discovered that doing so would create insurance risks. So they created a plan to install new play structures and otherwise renovate the two parks. The biggest challenge then became obtaining the funding for the remodel.

Luckily for residents, First 5 Santa Clara County stepped in with a $153,000 grant to help with the first phase of the project, which included new playground equipment at the approximately 2,000-square-foot Good Neighbor Park. First 5, formerly Santa Clara Kids, is allocated funding from tobacco product taxes and provides support for children from conception to age 5.

The water district also contributed $50,000, and private donations have totaled about $20,000.

Peters expected about 20 volunteers to help install playground equipment on June 12 and 13. Instead, 44 showed up the first day and finished the installation by 5 p.m.

"It wasn't really the cost savings that caused us to do this," Peters said of the group effort. "I think getting everyone together, where you have a part in building this, is huge. Everyone left with a big smile on their face and felt like they had accomplished something. And they had."

Residents of the area are excited about the new equipment.

Stephanie Milrad said she and her husband moved to the area about a year ago and look forward to being able to walk their 3- and 1-year-old sons to a park.

"We drive down into Los Gatos to go to the park, so we have to put the kids in the car," Milrad said. The new park "will be a great addition to our lives."

Resident Robyn Filardo said she did not have a problem with the old equipment, but the new Good Neighbor structure will be a major improvement. She said she expects it to enhance the already strong sense of community in Redwood Estates.

"My 4-year-old is just going to start at Lexington Park Elementary this year," she said. "He's going to meet a lot of his future school buddies this summer."

Peters said the new equipment would be available for use after surfacing is installed, the parking lot is paved and landscaping is completed within the next month. The larger Friendship Park is expected to be renovated in early 2005.