PORT ANGELES — Nine volunteers, with perhaps some of their spouses, have signed up for the annual spruce-up and maintenance at the Dream Playground on Friday.
Many more volunteers are needed, said Steve Methner, who serves on the Dream Playground’s board of directors.
“The more we have, the faster we can finish,” Methner said in an e-mail.
The work party will be conducted at the Dream Playground, on Race Street across from Civic Field, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday.
If there is work remaining, volunteers will meet again Saturday.
The playground will be closed during the weekend.
Volunteers can sign up to work a couple of hours or all day, Methner said.
The Dream Playground was built in five days in September 2002 by more than 2,000 local volunteers.
Starting in February 2002, the playground steering committee, in partnership with the Kiwanis Club of Port Angeles, raised about $185,000 to pay for the construction as well as in-kind donations.
Community groups, businesses and individuals can volunteer for the work party on Friday.
Youths ages 12 to 15 can volunteer if supervised, and high school students 16 and older can receive community service credit for volunteering.
Materials like paint, brushes and sealer will be provided.
No special skills are needed, Methner said. Light carpentry may be needed for a few odds and ends but what’s needed is “mostly just a willingness to work for a few hours and a smile,” he said.
Volunteers will:
• Install about 80 newly purchased sponsor pickets (cordless drills are needed).
• Freshen the paint in several areas (brushes and paint supplied).
• Apply sealer to the wooden fence and structure (volunteers can bring rubber gloves).
• Clean up and paint over graffiti.
• Rake the ground cover so it’s safe and fluffy when children bounce on it (bring a rake or pitchfork).
• General cleanup (bring gloves).
Family Fun Day
On Sept. 11, the Dream Playground Foundation plans its eighth annual Family Fun Day.
Game booths, a children’s art show and free ice cream, popcorn and soda will be offered from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“Last-minute sign-ups are gladly welcomed,” Methner said.
For more information or to register, e-mail Methner at methners@gmail.com or Steve Charno, president of the foundation, at judge.charno@hotmail.com or phone Charno at 360-452-1977.
