Riverside Park playground construction set for May 2025. Fundraising needed for new benches
By Garrett Christensen on Tuesday, December 10th, 2024 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
LA GRANDE – Planning is underway for La Grande’s new riverside Park Playground. Recently, La Grande Parks and Rec Commission Chairman David Moyal and Parks and Rec Director Stu Spence confirmed various details about the project, including a spring 2025 groundbreaking and the receipt of a $408,184 dollar grant from the Oregon State Parks Department’s Local Government Grant Program. The previous update can be found here.
Even more recently, Parks and Rec Committee member Sharron Langdon offered further insight into the state of the project following a recent meeting. Construction of the new playground and dismantling of the existing one is now set for approximately May of 2025. The playground will be shut down for an estimated 3 weeks during the demolition and construction. The committee will begin bringing on additional contractors and workers during the first quarter of 2025.
In the meantime, the committee’s focus will be fundraising for the playground’s new benches. While fundraising for the main playground has been completed, the committee hopes to place 5 durable and long-lasting playground approved benches. As explained by Sharron:
“The main point of interest at this time would be the need for benches. We have met our goal for the playground, and that is moving forward beautifully. However, we would really love to place 5 benches around the playground and have been quoted $2,500 per bench. These are long lasting, playground approved, benches manufactured for that purpose. We will be looking for this last piece of funding at the start of the new year!”
For any sentimental community members, the committee has not fully clarified how souvenirs from the old playground will be handled. One exception is the fence pickets with names on them. According to Sharron, there will likely be time during construction for community members to take their pickets back if they want them. The details of the picket pick up are still being worked out, however. In addition, the handprint tiles are not being removed and will remain as they are, becoming part of the new playground. Details on the rest of the park structure will likely be confirmed as construction nears.
Donations can be arranged by contacting Stu Spence at 541-962-1348 or by visiting the project’s website at: https://lagrandeplayground.org/?fbclid=IwAR3rhUmFZjYfbniaUkS_Iul9rwC1rzzj5HR4XKZsr03f7WIZqgZgNVhcplU_aem_AcuLBsXOvpMYz35PzBgZ1qmo95ZaDjUtD37ahQy_Ct3-nC0FeWZXw31yLdW2oOFETQHKa1Hj9RP3UP3W7z4ecj5i
