PORT TOWNSEND — Erica Delma and Molly Fahrenschon have high hopes for the day when a new and improved Pope Marine Park attracts more families with children.
Their Dream City Playgrounds group, which was formed last year, is gradually building momemtum to improve the 1.2-acre waterfront recreational area.
Ultimately, they hope their effort can carry over to building a Dream Playground elsewhere in Port Townsend, like the one built in 2002 in Port Angeles.
The Port Angeles project resulted from a major community fund-raising effort and volunteer construction blitz.
“The funds for the park will come from our fund-raising effort,” said Delma, who believes between $30,000 and $100,000 would need to be raised, depending on park designs.
A fundraising goal of about $50,000 has been set for the Pope Marine Park project alone.
“We’re going to improve this one, and replace the play structure,” she said.
Existing play structure
Delma and Fahrenschon point to the Pope park’s existing play structure, which is on the verge of being unsafe and has undergone some “quick fix” solutions, such as plywood sheeting to keep it from being dangerous.
As proposed, the play structure would be built with a combination of plastic composite lumber and arsenic-free treated wood for support.
The composite material, with the look and feel of wood, is used for most contact surfaces, such as decking and handrails. Communities may choose composite or metal pipe balusters.
The city Parks and Recreation Advisory Board has asked that the play structure be improved in its existing footprint at the park’s south end.
