Volunteers will once again be at the covered picnic area at Erickson playfield, next to the Dream Playground build site, to return engraved pickets from the original build to their owners. Contact Amanda with questions: kiddle.amanda@gmail.com
We are so grateful to the original donors to the Dream Playground. Whether you purchased a brick, a picket, or sponsored a playground component, this beloved project could not have existed without your support. 
Please take this opportunity to help make the new Dream Playground a reality. Customized bricks and pickets are available as well as a few playground components. This is your chance to literally put your name or the named of a loved one on a piece of a playground that will become an important part in the lives of our community's children. 

Grab your friends and family and sign up today for as many shifts as you can during our community build week, beginning June 22. We can't build this playground without you! Untrained help is welcome but we are also in search of skilled volunteers. 

Members of the Dream Foundation Board met recently with representatives of First Fed to accept a $15,000 donation destined to build the tree house at the new Dream Playground. We are so grateful for First Fed's generous gift and support, which will make a significant impact on the success of this exciting project. We are also lucky to have First Fed employee, Jen Swanson, as part of our Foundation Board.   

At nearly 20 years old, many elements of the original Dream Playground were reaching the end of their service life. The new build, scheduled to begin June 22, 2021, will be a community volunteer project and will contain new, more inclusive elements, a sustainable and long-lasting grass-like ground cover, and exciting components like a zipline and climbing net! 

April 21, 2021                    For Immediate Release

Dream Playground Build Manager to Visit  Monday, 4/26/21.  Old picket pickup events 4/24 and 5/15

As the Generation II Dream Playground approaches reality, activity at the site and behind the scenes is increasing and enthusiasm is building for the playground to rise again between June 22-27.

On Monday, April 26, Lee Archin of Play By Design will visit from Ithaca, NY.  Mr. Archin is the site coordinator who will oversee the six-day rebuild to be completed by hundreds of local volunteers.  Mr. Archin will meet with various volunteers on-site throughout the day.

Many volunteers are needed, and people can visit www.padreamplayground.org and click on the ‘donate or volunteer’ tab to sign up. All construction skill levels are welcome, but skilled folks are definitely needed as well.

Play By Design is the firm designing and guiding the rebuild effort, starting with a visit in May 2019 by lead designer Laura Sehn, who visited local grade schools to gather the imaginings of local kids, revealing the new design later that week at the Vern Burton Center.

“This is really the kickoff moment where it gets real,” said Dream Playground Foundation President Steve Methner.  “Up until now, we’ve been planning, fundraising, ordering materials, clearing the site and praying for COVID to get out of the way.  Lee’s Visit is when we plan the build itself and all the nitty-gritty details of the week.”

The City Parks and Recreation department, headed by Corey Delikat, has been doing much of the site preparation, and coordinated the removal of the existing Dream Playground over the last 30 days.  Volunteers had previously removed the fencing and have saved the engraved pickets for people who would like to keep them as mementos. 

The Playground Foundation is hosting two picket pick-up events on April 24 and May 15 for anyone who would like their old pickets back.  The events will run from 10am to 1pm on 4/24 and 5/15 at the picnic shelter at Erickson Playfields, which is adjacent to the playground site on Race Street.

Engraved pickets for the Generation II playground will be available for ordering as well.  All proceeds will support the rebuild effort through the Dream Playground Foundation.

The original Dream Playground was built over six days in September 2002 by hundreds of volunteers, and was one of the largest community projects Port Angeles has ever seen.  The Foundation plans to repeat the effort this June 22-27. 

For questions or more information, contact:
Steve Methner, President
Dream Playground Foundation
360-460-7356
stevemethner@outlook.com
www.padreadmplayground.org

With immense gratitude to the Charno family, the Dream Playground Foundation is thrilled to announce a matching grant of up to $30,000 for donations of between $25 and $500 received before April 30. 

The Charno Family Grant has been generously donated to encourage investment from and connection with the community in the Generation II Dream Playground build scheduled for summer 2021. 

Cash donations in any form, including donations used toward engraved brick or picket purchases, are eligible for matching. When you donate any amount from $25 to $500, the Charno family will match that donation.* This means that all donations made before April 30 will be DOUBLED! 

Existing pickets have been removed and are being safely stored until build day, June 2021. At that point they will be made available to the corresponding donors to commemorate their support of the Dream Playground that has served our community for almost 20 years. 

*While brick and picket purchase amounts will be matched, the matching funds will not be used to purchase additional bricks and pickets. Instead, it will be donated directly to the playground ensuring maximum benefit. Feel free to contact us if you have questions. 

We are thrilled to announce that Pacific Office Equipment Inc. (POE) has become a corporate sponsor of the Dream Playground with their donation of $3,250! This, and every donation received, brings us closer to our goal of a brand new and improved Generation II Dream Playground.

POE is a locally-owned, community minded business that has been serving the Olympic Peninsula since 1965. Their primary business focus is copier sales and service; IT computer sales, service and network installation; office furniture sales, delivery and installation; and office supply sales and delivery. 

We hope you will support the companies that support our community. Contact POE to find out how else they can support your business needs! 

On December 14, Port Angeles City Parks & Recreation staff received a shipment of playground equipment from Play By Design destined for the Generation II Dream Playground. Along with traditional equipment, the new playground will have a zipline, net climbing structure, castles and a treehouse, a musical feature, and inclusive merry-go-round. Another much anticipated feature will be the new playground's pour-in-place ground cover which will provide children with a safe, springy and seamless floor. 

The Generation II Dream Playground is scheduled for construction in mid-2021 and will be a community volunteer build project. The existing playground was constructed as a similar project over six days in August 2002. 

We are so grateful for the partnership of Sound Community Bank and their donation of $5,000 to the dream playground. These funds will be dedicated to the new orca whale tunnel located in the tot lot. Not only is SCB a great supporter of the Generation II Playground, they also support our community. We look forward to partnering with them on this exciting project!

“Sound Community Bank has provided the Puget Sound area with the best personal and business financial accounts and services for over 65 years. We are a local bank striving to improve our communities while offering outstanding service. We know this area, the people, and the businesses. Community isn’t just our middle name, it’s who we are!”

Please visit Sound Community Bank's website to learn more about their work and the wonderful services they offer. 

The Dream Playground Foundation is selling customized, engraved bricks and pickets to raise funds for our 2021 build. These bricks and pickets will be placed throughout the playground once complete. 
The existing playground has been in place for almost 18 years and the original structure is nearing the end of its lifespan. Much of the current structure is wood, and although the foundation completes regular maintenance and upkeep, the structure is in need of replacement. 
The rebuild will include many fun features such as a zipline, inclusive spinner, swings, climbing net, treehouse and castle structures, and rubber floor covering - one of the most requested features by our community. 
We can't wait for you to see what's in store but we need your help to make it happen! Visit our gallery to see more of what we have planned.