| And Then It Was Done: Wild Woods Park Opens On Time June 8 |
Saws, hammers and
grinders fell silent,
extension cords were
reeled in, hot dogs
cooked and root beer
floats scooped. Former
and current Talkeetna
residents joined with
volunteers from many
areas to create Wild
Woods Park.
"This project took the
effort of the entire
community and I'm so
happy I could cry that
we live in a community
that could pull this
together," said
playground organizer
Karey Larson.
It took days of heavy
construction, following
more than a week of site
preparation after tree
clearing. Crews of
volunteers worked rain
or shine through mostly
dry weather to create a
locally-themed
playground. The process
grinders fell silent,
extension cords were
reeled in, hot dogs
cooked and root beer
floats scooped. Former
and current Talkeetna
residents joined with
volunteers from many
areas to create Wild
Woods Park.
"This project took the
effort of the entire
community and I'm so
happy I could cry that
we live in a community
that could pull this
together," said
playground organizer
Karey Larson.
It took days of heavy
construction, following
more than a week of site
preparation after tree
clearing. Crews of
volunteers worked rain
or shine through mostly
dry weather to create a
locally-themed
playground. The process
FROM BOTTOM
LEFT: Lots of wood
scraps were generated.
Justin signs up a
volunteer.
Root beer floats were
passed out at the opening
ceremony.
LEFT: Lots of wood
scraps were generated.
Justin signs up a
volunteer.
Root beer floats were
passed out at the opening
ceremony.
Below, Top: Mike Lindgren helps break in the new
slide, as catcher. Below, Bottom: Diane Ziegner rolled
wheelbarrow after wheelbarrow of wood product in the
hour before the playground opened. Above, Right: One
hour to go! Below, Right: Murray Nash, left with
stand-up bass, also surveyed the land for Wild Woods
Park.
slide, as catcher. Below, Bottom: Diane Ziegner rolled
wheelbarrow after wheelbarrow of wood product in the
hour before the playground opened. Above, Right: One
hour to go! Below, Right: Murray Nash, left with
stand-up bass, also surveyed the land for Wild Woods
Park.
Linda Correira kept busy during the final hour of
construction.
construction.
Volunteers pose for a group shot.
A young park patron hears her Dad's voice coming from
the other end of this tunnel.
the other end of this tunnel.
Loudon Wilson had to get the best possible angle for his
photo. No perch too high.
photo. No perch too high.
Now that the park is finished, volunteer Bronn Salmon
will have his hands full coordinating the Moose
Dropping Festival in July.
will have his hands full coordinating the Moose
Dropping Festival in July.
Volunteer Jim Graupmann was at the controls moving
large rocks while Mike Figley, at left, helps direct
Graupmann.
large rocks while Mike Figley, at left, helps direct
Graupmann.
began 483 days before
the June 8 completion, said Larson, who
began a project that eventually embraced by
hundreds of donors and volunteers.
"It's a relief," said Talkeetna resident
Loudon Wilson, who coordinated tool
gathering served in many other roles. "It's a
total relief. It was a great experience."
the June 8 completion, said Larson, who
began a project that eventually embraced by
hundreds of donors and volunteers.
"It's a relief," said Talkeetna resident
Loudon Wilson, who coordinated tool
gathering served in many other roles. "It's a
total relief. It was a great experience."
Kids burst through the paper-chain ribbon to officially open Wild Woods Park June 8.
Above: Finding the right tool for the job on Saturday.