Press Release - Build Manager Visit

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.

VOLUNTEER NOW!

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.”

Corey Delikat, Parks & Recreation Director

Steve Methner, Dream Playground Foundation President

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