Well, after material shortages, an historic heatwave, a two-week delay, a pandemic, and probably a sneaky partridge lurking in a pear tree somewhere, we have completed all structural portions of the Dream Playground. It’s thanks to you, the amazing volunteers, that we have a new crown jewel for kids and families in our community. Thank you. You are awesome.

Here’s the latest:

1. We plan to have a punch list party this Sunday, July 18, from 8am to noon-ish. Because of supply constraints, we expect the material for the back fence to arrive next week, and tentatively plan for a fence finishing party on Sunday, July 25. We will email everybody once that is confirmed. 
2. The turf play surface is scheduled for installation the week of August 2. Here is what we’re installing: Playground Grass
3. We will continue to offer engraved pavers and pickets HERE through the end of August.
4. There are still components available for sponsorship for a little while longer if anyone has been wanting or meaning to do that. Call Steve at 360-460-7356 if you want to discuss. We are working on entry graphics & sponsorship plaques starting this week.

If you have been there in the last few days, you’ll see quite a few kids and families coming by, and some pretty eager looks on the kids faces! Our dragon artist, Laura Alisanne, is also finishing the large dragon face over the curly slide, and it looks just fantastic.

Stay tuned for Sunday work parties – check facebook, our website, or your email- for confirmation.

It’s gonna be awesome!
​
Steve Methner, President
Dream Playground Foundation

During the week of June 22 - 27, the Dream Playground build site was filled with enthusiastic and talented volunteers. Unfortunately, the unprecedented heatwave kept many people away and we fell short of the number of worker-hours we needed to finish the project. 
The Dream Playground Foundation rallied and has designated July 3,  9 and 10 as the final community build days.  Materials, tools and power will be in place, all we need is YOU!

On July 3, from 7am to 12pm, we need volunteers who are skilled with power tools or who have some experience with contracting or a trade. Our focus for July 3 is to finish the perimeter fence and other more complicated tasks. 

On July 9 and 10, we still need skilled help but we are also looking for volunteers of all abilities! These will be the very last days of the project and we have organized three shifts each day:
Morning | 8am - 12pm
Afternoon | 12:30 - 4:30pm
Evening | 5 - 8pm

Many folks in our community got their first look at the new Dream Playground on the day of the Community Cooldown. They got to see the vision taking place and many kids were thrilled to see zipline in place and the incredible height of the treehouses and climbing net. 
Help us finish making this dream a reality by donating any amount of time you can on July 3, 9 or 10. Even one hour could make the difference! 
And if you can't physically pitch in, please spread the word!

Moss, the beloved boutique with the A-frame roof in downtown Port Angeles, has been a friend of the new Dream Playground from the start. By making the playground its Giving Tuesday recipient, Moss raised both funds and awareness for the project. Now Moss and its owner, Hayley (Croxford) Sharpe, have made a permanent mark on the new playground by sponsoring an entryway bench. 

In honor of her 40th birthday, Port Angeles native Hayley hosted a Facebook fundraiser AND donated 40% of sales at Moss to the playground. At a grand total of $2,000, the funds raised were just right to sponsor a bench. Now visitors to the playground will have a permanent reminder this local gem, and the store she has run since 2012. 

Moss offers carefully curated clothing and accessories for women, men, babies and toddlers; goods for your pups, home and camp; as well as cards, art prints, jewelry and more from PNW artists. The store is located at 120 W 1st Street, Port Angeles. Shop in person or online by clicking below.

We couldn't be more grateful to Angeles Millwork and Hartnagel Building Supply. Not only have they provided the wonderful Dean Langdon to be a member of the Dream Playground Foundation board, but they also donated $6,500 to sponsor the swirl instrument at the new Dream Playground!

Angeles Millworks and Hartnagel been a beloved part of Port Angeles since 1906 and 1960 respectively. "The employee-owned lumber yards and hardware stores have served Port Angeles with an experienced staff who provide a high level of friendly customer service and valuable industry knowledge to the homeowner, DIYer, and professional contractors."

Regarding their decision to sponsor an element of the Dream Playground:

Thank you, Angeles Millwork and Hartnagel Building Supply for your support and the wonderful service you provide to our community!

The Answer for Youth (TAFY) recently sponsored the tire swing at the soon-to-be-built Dream Playground. We are immensely grateful for TAFY's support and for the ongoing work they do in our community. 

"The Answer for Youth is a barrier free nonprofit 501C3 privately funded organization that has provided services for over 10 years at no cost to the city for homeless and at risk in Port Angeles."
In its capacity as an outreach center for homeless youth in Port Angeles, TAFY provides healthy cooked meals, a food bank, a free clothes closet, as well as blankets, tents and other supplies necessary for living out of doors.  

Learn more about TAFY's work and how to support them by clicking below:

They may be small, but they're mighty! Jett (age 4) and Pepper (age 2) Johnson collectively recently $3,075 to the Dream Playground rebuild project at the end of May. The funds were raised through a combination of birthday fundraisers and an auction for art pieces created by Jett. 

You might not be surprised that Jett and Pepper have a special connection to the Dream Playground:  Foundation board member Tyler Johnson just happens to be their dad. In fact, both Tyler and his wife Nicole are natives of Port Angeles. 

Keep an eye out for these adorable faces at the playground this summer. Jett and Pepper, you are super stars!!!

Click below to make a donation to the Dream Playground or to purchase an engraved brick of picket.

The Kiwanis Club of Port Angeles has donated $2,000 to the Dream Playground rebuild effort! We are so appreciative to this organization for all their support and generosity. 

 

Charted in July 1921, the Kiwanis Club of Port Angeles is the oldest Kiwanis club on the Peninsula. ​Their website states: "We are an organization of service-minded men and women, who give of themselves to make Port Angeles a better community in which to live, raise a family and retire. Our Kiwanis community and service projects are accomplished as our members volunteer their time and talents.... Our motto is, "SERVING THE CHILDREN OF THE WORLD" and we believe that we can achieve greater accomplishments together than as individuals working separately." 
What a wonderful mission and what an incredible group of people. We're grateful for our Kiwanis members and for this gift which will benefit the children of our community today and for generations to come. 

The day of the community build is in sight and the Dream Playground Foundation is reaching out to the community to lend the tools and equipment needed to complete this exciting project. We're seeking everything from hammers to wheelbarrows to popup tents. Click the link below to learn more and sign up to lend a tool!

Q: How do I get my tools to the cause?
A: There are several options:

1. drop off at Erickson park (across from Civic field)  Meet at the pavilion every Tuesday and Friday 5 pm to 6 pm (Beginning June 4th)
2. Call or email Steve at  (360) 808-3896 or stevenhargis@hotmail.com for more information or optional delivery place, days, or time. 

** Tools on a very limited case-by-case basis may be picked up.

Q: Who will be using my tools?
A: Volunteers who have signed up to participate in the Dream Playground build will use your tools after undergoing initial training and proper tool checkout procedures. Skilled supervisors on site will monitor all worksites for proper tool usage and safety practices.

Q: How do I ensure I get my tools back?
A: Your name & contact information will be assigned a unique number and recorded along with a description of each tool loaned. Your number will be written directly on your tool with a permanent marker. Tools will be ready for return starting Monday, June 28th. Pick-up/delivery method and date will be determined at the time you drop off your tools.
Example: Joe Smith #12 | joe@email.com | DeWalt battery-powered drill, 2 batteries & charger 

Q: Will my tools be safe?
A: Yes. Each tool will be signed out and in each day and will be locked up securely each night. 

It was emotional for many of us to see the original Dream Playground disappear, but demo day was also an exciting milestone in the new build process. The heros in the process were a few local companies who generously donated their services either in whole or in part. ​We couldn't have done it without them!

First on the scene were 2 Grade and Bruch and Bruch Construction, Inc, who demoed and removed the old playground elements.

After Clark Land Office performed surveying services, Sitkum Tree Service arrived to do tens of thousands of dollars worth of tree abatement. Our community had mixed feelings about losing some of the trees around the playground, but their removal was crucial to the safety of the playground and the increased visibility that had been requested and incorporated into the design. 

Members of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe harvested large amounts of cedar bark from the felled trees before Hermann Brothers Logging & Construction removed the trunks from the site. 

RJ Services hauled away 100 or more cubic yards of old wood fiber ground cover. This type of ground cover, though common in past decades, has been surpassed by a variety of safer and cleaner options, including the one we'll be using: Playground Grass by Forever Lawn. This ADA compliant ground cover is safer, cleaner, longer lasting, and provides greater microbial protection than other options. 

We also owe a huge thanks to the Kiwanis Club for providing site monitoring and for helping to arrange for the wood fiber ground cover to be hauled away. They will coordinate turning all the salvage wood into firewood sales that benefit Camp Beausite.