PORT ANGELES — The Dream Playground Foundation is seeking volunteers to help with annual maintenance of the playground in Erickson Park at Race and Fourth streets the weekend of Aug. 3.
Each year, volunteers apply new sealant to wood surfaces, add and rake ground cover, paint and complete minor repairs.
The maintenance will require the closure of the playground Aug. 3-5 while maintenance is done and fresh wood sealant and paint are drying.
“We hope to apply a coat of sealant to the entire fence and play structure,” said Steve Charno, foundation president.
“We also plan to freshen up the paint on some of the play areas, as well as fluff the engineered wood fiber ground cover and do general cleanup in and around the playground.”
All welcome
All volunteers are welcome, Charno said.
“The more volunteers we have, even for an hour or two, the more likely we can get it all done,” he said.
Work hours will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. or 4 p.m. each day.
It is possible that everything will be completed by Saturday afternoon if enough volunteers come.
Volunteers have been essential for the playground since its inception.
The Dream Playground was built in only five days in 2002 by nearly 2,000 community volunteers in one of the largest community projects the area has seen.
More than $185,000 was raised to pay for the construction, with most of the funds donated by more than 10,000 individuals and area businesses.
The Dream Playground has been supported by the following ongoing sponsors: First Federal, Kiwanis Club of Port Angeles and Peninsula Children’s Clinic.
The Dream Playground Foundation was formed in 2003 as a nonprofit tasked with the upkeep and eventual replacement of the facility when it reaches the end of its 30-year lifespan.
In 2004, the gateway and tile kiosks were completed, and in 2010, the pavilion/picnic shelter was added. Both additional projects were spearheaded by the foundation.
Well-maintained
Charno said dedicated volunteers are keeping the playground well-maintained.
“We can do that because we have such a dedicated volunteer group and a community that’s willing to pitch in every year to keep it maintained,” Charno said.
“Port Angeles can be proud of how well we’ve cared for our playground over the last 10 years.”
Volunteers are encouraged to bring rakes, shovels, gloves and enthusiasm.
For more information on the Dream Playground, visit www.dreamplayground.com.
To volunteer for the work party, email Steve Methner, Dream Playground Foundation board member, at Methners@gmail.com or phone 360-457-6456.
