PORT ANGELES – Volunteers are needed for annual maintenance work on the Port Angeles Dream Playground at Erickson Park.
The playground with colored turrets, wooden tower and a totem pole is at Race and Fourth streets will be closed from Friday through next Sunday.
The first two days, work will be done from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The playground will be closed next Sunday to let wood sealant and fresh paint dry.
Eight volunteers are lined up so far. Fifteen to 30 are needed, said Steve Methner, president of the Dream Foundation Playground, on Friday.
“The Dream Playground is routinely maintained by the city of Port Angeles, but due to its size and detail, a major volunteer effort is needed every one to two years to keep it in proper condition and to prolong its life span,” Methner said in a press release.
The effort is spearheaded each year by the Dream Playground Foundation.
The nonprofit was created to raise funds, pay for major repairs, encourage community support and develop resources to rebuild the structure when it reaches the end of its life span.
Work this year will entail sealing the entire wooden structure, which is the most of the play structure in the 12,000-square-foot playground.
“That needs to happen about every year,” Methner said.
In addition to sweeping and cleaning up debris, some of the ground coverage must be redistributed to keep the ground well-padded for the children and some of the small play features need maintenance.
One play feature needs a skilled hand.
The music toy has lost the ability to ring some notes. Some components are bent and wires broken. The toy must be taken apart and examined to see if it parts must be fixed or replaced.
“We’d love somebody who’s skilled to tackle that one,” Methner said.
Several pickets – a fundraiser for the playground, with each picket costing $20 – will be erected.
Individual volunteers, community groups, service clubs, church groups and anyone else who wants to help are encouraged to come.
The Dream Playground was built over five days in September 2002 by more than 2,000 local volunteers, and is one of the largest volunteer projects Clallam County has ever seen.
Starting in February 2002, the playground committee, in partnership with Kiwanis, raised more than $185,000, nearly all from local businesses and individuals, to pay for the construction.
Many local materials donations have been made as well.
Kiwanis Club of Port Angeles and Kiwanis Foundation of Port Angeles are founding sponsors and major supporters of the playground effort.
Other major sponsors are McCrorie Carpet One, Coldwell Banker Uptown Realty, First Federal Savings, Jace the Real Estate Company, Olympic Medical Center, Noon Rotary Club of Port Angeles, Seven Cedars Casino, and Soroptimist International of Port Angeles-Noon Club, Wilder Auto Center.
To volunteer, purchase a picket or for information, phone Methner at 360-457-6456 or 360-460-7356.
