PORT ANGELES — Janet Young describes the response to her plea for new playground equipment at Shane Park in one word: overwhelming.
“It’s just been wonderful the feedback I have been getting,” she said in a recent interview.
Young said she has been inundated with people offering their help since a story on her hopes for giving children a proper place to play at the park — named after her deceased son, Shane Fowler — appeared in the Peninsula Daily News Aug. 25.
She hopes to raise $120,000 to buy a large play set for the park in West Port Angeles.
The equipment, made by Playcraft Systems, would have multiple slides, a wheel chair ramp, monkey bars and even a small climbing wall.
Young received her first donation, a $250 check, almost immediately, and has raised a total of $700 from unsolicited donors.
Shane died in 1973 after a 4-foot-diameter concrete ring fell on him when the park was under construction.
Young, who lives across the road from the park on West Sixth Street, said the PDN story sparked memories of Shane in people in Port Angeles and even across the country.
Remembering the quiet but playful 9-year-old boy, they hardly hesitate to give, she said.
“This town is absolutely wonderful for getting together and helping,” Young said.
“It’s a good feeling to know that they are out there.”
Everywhere she goes, Young said she runs into people who remember her son.
Talking with them also rekindles some of her own memories that time has faded — like the way he used to blink when he grinned, she recalled recently.
“You know, sometimes I get a little teary-eyed,” she said.
“And sometimes my heart swells with happiness,” she added, referring to the outpouring of support.
It doesn’t appear that the support will wane any time soon.
Six other people have joined Young to form a committee, called the Shane Park Foundation, to spearhead a donation drive. They met Monday for the first time.
Young said she intends to apply for nonprofit status to allow donations to be tax deductible.
In addition, City Manager Kent Myers said staff members will recommend that the City Council donates half of the required sum: $60,000.
“It’s an obvious spot for a playground,” he said.
Currently, a small slide a foot or two off the ground is the only play equipment for children.
Other equipment, such as tire swings, a teeter-totter, a big slide and monkey bars, all once existed at the park before being removed over the last three decades.
The equipment was removed because it was either rotting or didn’t meet regulations, said Corey Delikat, city parks and streets superintendent.
Delikat, who is a member of the foundation, said he has tried for several years to reestablish a playground at the park. Funding has been an issue.
The closest playground to Shane Park is at the Elks Playfield on West 14th Street between the Eighth Street bridges.
Young said she hopes to raise the money by spring.
Delikat said if not enough money is raised, the proposed playground can be scaled down.
He said another $30,000 would have to be raised for the surface material.
But Delikat said he expects the playground would be fully used, no matter the size.
He said there are always plenty of children who are at the park during their parents’ or siblings’ softball and soccer games with nothing to do.
Other than donations, Young said she has received a pledge from Ken Reandeau, owner of Ken Reandeau excavating, that he would do any excavating needed for a new playground for free.
Her yard groomer, Manny Perez, who gave Young her first donation, has also challenged others in the profession to give.
“Every nickle, every dime, every quarter, it all adds up,” said Perez, whose children used to play at the park.
Young, not one for speaking in front of large groups, said her next step is to request donations from local civic organizations.
“I will be a little nervous, but I’ll do it anyway,” she said.
“I don’t want this to be about me,” Young later added.
“I want it to be about Shane Park.”
To donate, contact Young at 360-457-1053.
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
