New Playground Construction Underway at Willow Creek Park

Ground Clearing Underway

The eastern half of Willow Creek Park has undergone a lot of development over the past year with the addition of the skateboard facility and adjoining pavilions and now it’s time for an upgrade on the western side.

Youngster Navigates the Bridge Crossing at October Display

Ground is now being cleared for construction of a Nature Play area on the western side of the park, just south of the main parking area. The new area, designed for ages two to sixteen, has its roots based on ideas submitted by local youth who had the opportunity to express their ideas to Radian Company which held open air meetings to discuss viable options.  The latest equipment display was held October, 2018, when kids and adults viewed portable play equipment set up in the picnic area east of the ballfields opposite Lamar Community College.  The general plans allow kids to play various games or develop competitions for themselves and incorporate a way to challenge their abilities.

Crawl Tube, Bridge, Tower and Tree Climbing, All in One

Kendra Buchanan, Generation Wild Coordinator with the City of Lamar, said the cost of the project is $230,850. “We’re financed on three levels,” she explained, adding, “We received a $90,000 grant from the Colorado Health Foundation, funding from the GoCO, Inspire Grant and $35,306 from the Conservation Trust Fund.”  Buchanan said the timeline is flexible, but the playground equipment is expected to arrive by September 16^th and once a special, resilient, one-piece groundbase has been poured surrounding the equipment and it has cured, the facility should be ready for the kids by mid October.

By Russ Baldwin