Playground-on-the-Green project breaks ground

— from Margaret Payne —

Local contractors begin construction of the Playground-on-the-Green, using native rocks and trees in an ”Island Hopping” design; completion expected summer 2020.

With funding from a county Lodging Tax grant, OICF’s “Give Orcas” campaign, a Ginny Lu Wood Legacy Grant (OICF), Island Market, and numerous private donors, Orcas Island contractors and citizen volunteers have begun construction of a nature-based playground at the Village Green. The design features logs and rocks collected from Moran State Park and Camp Orkila, and complements the Stage-on-the-Green. Landscape trees will be donated by OICF in celebration of their 25th anniversary.

The Playground Team includes Mark Mayer (Project Manager), Chuck Greening (Contractor), Zackaraya Leck (Artist), David Kau (Architect), Dona Wuthnow (former SJC Parks Director), Paul Kamin (Eastsound Water), Margaret Payne (SJCParks Commissioner) and Dan Burke (Publicity).

Local contributors of time, talent, and materials are Gregg Bronn (engineer), Greg White (survey), Cory Harrington (permit); Island Excavating, Todd Shaner, Nate Averna, Rob Harvey, Rich Harvey (materials donation and transport), West Sound Lumber (log prep and storage), Carson Sprenger and Rain Shadow Consulting (tree trimming), Bathan Shaner (excavation), Micheal Yeaman (stone preparation), Erin and Emily Bennett (video); Susan and Wally Gudgell, Charles Toxey and Jill Johnson (Kangaroo House), and Kenmore Air (housing and transportation).

Phase One construction will be completed in summer 2020. Fundraising continues for “Finishing Touches” to the project, including a handcrafted slide, rope climber, ship’s net ladder, screening fence, boulder seat, and interpretive signage.

To make a welcome donation, call San Juan County Parks at 360-378-8420 or visit the Parks website.