PORT ANGELES — Community members continue to rally around to rebuild the Generation II Dream Playground, which was destroyed in an early morning fire Wednesday.
The Wilder Auto Center has joined Molina Healthcare of Washington in pledging $10,000 toward the fundraising effort to rebuild the Generation II Dream Playground, which was destroyed in an early morning fire Wednesday.
”Just got word that Wilder Auto would like to donate $10,000 to the effort!” Dream Playground Foundation President Steve Methner wrote in a Friday afternoon email.
Said Tammy Wilder Rose: “I was looking up photos last night of us doing the first building and it was really important to my dad.
“I went on Instagram and I saw the pledges and my brother (Dan Wilder, Jr.) and I decided to do this since our team was part of the first building,” she said, referring to the original Dream Playground that was opened in 2002.
“You got to choose what you wanted to sponsor and we chose the zipline for $25,000. Our dad always said, ‘Never say ‘no’ to kids or the community. So, we definitely wanted to be a part of this,” she said.
The newest donation plus Molina’s and others brings the fundraising total to more than $30,000 committed or received so far, Methner said.
“It’s getting tough to keep track of all the things people are starting to do on their own to support the effort,” Methner said.
A blaze, reported at 3:44 a.m. Wednesday, shot flames as high as the evergreens around the playground at Erickson Playfield at 302 S. Race St., in Port Angeles.
The ferocity of the fire melted a nearby overhead light, as well as parts of an adjacent swing set, and much of the artificial play surface was charred and blackened. The smell of burned materials permeated the park and the sidewalk along Race Street on Wednesday.
The fire melted most of the nearly $118,000 worth of playground equipment the city purchased for the second-generation playground, which was built by volunteers in 2021.
Methner had said the zipline and a piece of climbing equipment might be salvageable.
Debris was cleaned up by city Public Works employees on Thursday. Other areas of Erickson Playfield, including the pump track and skate park, were reopened on Friday.
Lee Ancin, co-founder and an owner of Play By Design, said the Dream Playground equipment was constructed out of structural plastic, recycled plastic and powder-coated metal. Setting it on fire would almost certainly require an accelerant, he said.
A Port Angeles juvenile is being held in Clallam County jail in lieu of $100,000 bail for investigation of second-degree arson, resisting arrest and making false statements to law enforcement. Formal charges are planned at a court hearing on Tuesday afternoon.
Neither his name nor his age were available from law enforcement authorities. He is being tried in the juvenile court system.
Arson will be charged but whether it is arson one or two depends upon the condition of a firefighter who may have been injured, said Tracey Lassus, Clallam County deputy prosecuting attorney during the juvenile’s first appearance in court on Thursday.
Port Angeles Assistant Fire Chief Joel McKeen said Friday afternoon tht the firefighter was ”doing okay and that’s about all I can say.”
In addition to the donations, several businesses are either holding fundraisers or donating a percentage of their sales to the fundraising effort.
“Bar N9NE is having a “picture with the Grinch” fundraiser,” Methner said. “We’ve been told that a community member may be organizing a golf tournament.
“Welly’s Real Fruit Ice Cream is creating a Dream Playground Flavor contest, and will donate proceeds from that flavor to the Playground. First Street Play Café is donating 40 percent of each alligator sold,” he said.
Those donating businesses are in addition to the previously announced ones of Mixit Shack, Shear Elegance, Amazing Movers and Belle’s Boutique.
“We’re still holding our breath for awhile, but it still seems very likely, based on anecdotal experience other playgrounds have had, that we will have to bear a major portion of rebuild costs from donations and fundraising,” Methner said.
Corey Delikat, Port Angeles Parks and Recreation director, said the insurance claim needs to go through the city’s human resources department, whose director currently is on vacation, and so nothing will be known until January.
The Generation II playground, using all volunteer labor, cost about $650,000 in materials. About $470,000 of that was through funds raised privately by the Dream Playground Foundation, with the remainder $180,000 coming from the City and from city lodging tax grant funding.
Molina Healthcare of Washington announced in a Thursday afternoon press release that it has pledged to match donations until it reaches $10,000 total.
“Molina understands how important this playground is to so many local families,” said Dr. Jay Fathi, plan president of Molina Healthcare of Washington.
“We are honored to provide funding to help rebuild this vital community resource.”
Methner said the playground foundation appreciated Molina’s generous show of support for the playground and the community’s kids.
“Together we can turn this adversity into an opportunity to showcase the resilience and strength that defines Port Angeles. Molina’s support and solidarity are invaluable during these challenging times.”
“As far as sign-ups for the rebuild, I’ve lost track of how many email notifications I’ve gotten so far. But a rough count shows well over 200, along with a number of contractors,” Methner said.
Groves Crane, the contractor that erected the large tower tops, has already reached out to the foundation as well, he said.
Those who wish to contribute to the funds to help rebuild can visit www.facebook.com/padreamplayground or www.padreamplayground.com.
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Reporter Brian Gawley can be reached at Brian.Gawley@peninsuladailynews.com.
