Editor’s note: This article was initially published in The Daily Gazette, Swarthmore’s online, daily newspaper founded in Fall 1996. As of Fall 2018, the DG has merged with The Phoenix. See the about page to read more about the DG.
As we all hope for winter to turn to spring (or at least snow), you may fondly remember the swing that graced Parrish Beach last April and wonder whether it will ever come back.
James Saxon ’09 was the original swing-hanger. Once it was taken down for safety reasons, he secured a promise from the Dean’s Office that the swing would go up again. “It was supposed to happen before freshmen arrived, ” said Saxon, “but it has now been pushed back to this spring.” Although Saxon had initially hoped to put the swing in the Crum, “it can’t go in the Crum because it has to be monitored a lot for safety, and the Arboretum is also quite particular about their trees.”
Saxon has been working with Director of Grounds Jeff Jabco to get the swing ready. Jabco wrote in an e-mail that “the new site will be next to the strip of large trees between Wharton and Dana/Hallowell residence halls.” So far, the selected tree has been pruned to prepare it for swing installation, which will be done by a professional company.
Although a final price has not yet been determined, Saxon estimated that the final cost will be around one thousand dollars, “as opposed to the twenty-five it cost us.” He has been working to get funds from the Dean’s Office and has also applied to SBC’s Fun Fund for money. Hopefully by the time the sun comes back, we’ll have a new tree swing to enjoy it with.
Do you have additional questions about tree tops, tree lines, or even a petri dish? Ask the Gazette at dailygazette [at] swarthmore [dot] edu.