Repairs to Kids Dreamland expected by spring, says parks director
(Talk of the Town photo by Jennifer Zartman Romano) Andy Vanderford of Acute Fencing, far left, and his crew have been working on several updates to the Kids Dreamland park along Business 30 in Columbia City. Vanderford hopes to have the project completed by spring.
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
Kids Dreamland’s wooden structures have been played upon and loved by children on countless summer days, stood proud through thunderstorms, snow storms and ice. It has withstood the endless barrage of children and adults, in all shapes and sizes, climbing on it. Now, a little weary with all that use, it is ready for repairs.
Last summer, like the appearance of laugh lines on the face, its age was beginning to catch up with it. The rubber bridge was broken, some elements didn’t work as well as they used to. Certain parts had become just too dangerous.
According to Columbia City Parks director Mark Green, the wooden playgrounds like Kids Dreamland typically begin needing repairs around the 12-year mark. At 16 years, he said, the park is well overdue.
“It has really taken a lot of abuse over the years,” Green said. The park’s wooden structures have been played upon and loved by children on countless summer days
So, local contractor Andy Vanderford with Acute Fencing has been called in to address some of the issues of aging within the park and make some updates in preparation for the spring and summer season of usage by area families. Vanderford and his crew have been working at the site, making repairs and a new addition as well.
“There used to be a glider there,” Green said, “but they’re dangerous and they don’t make them anymore.”
“So, we chose to build a little climbing wall,” Green said.
If you drive past the park, the new climbing wall can be noticed almost immediately with its bright new timer on the southeast corner of the park.
“Being over 12 years-old, there is a lot of maintenance that needs addressed,” Green said. He added that Vanderford’s goal is to have the project completed by spring.