Kids can enjoy new playground at Crosslake Community Center

CROSSLAKE — Families have an updated place to play after the Park and Library Foundation in Crosslake completed installation of new playground equipment at the Crosslake Community Center.

Alden Hardwick thanked the Crosslake City Council and community for their roles in bringing the new playground to the city during the council's regular meeting Monday, June 13. A grand opening was held Sunday, June 12, for the Mary Lu Dietz Memorial Obstacle Course. A grand opening for the whole playground will take place in July.

Screenshot

“Now we sit, after a short time all winter thinking about this vision, and now the vision is real and there is a park there that’s really special,” Hardwick said.

Hardwick said as an optimist, even he didn’t expect the five-phase playground proposed to be built over three years to be done instead in eight months. Work included raising money and having volunteers build the new playground.

He credited the council for its support and encouragement, as well as community donors and the Park and Library Foundation.

A total of $250,000 was raised, which includes city park dedication fees.

TJ Graumann, director of parks, recreation and library, thanked a list of volunteers as well as Moonlite Bay Family Restaurant for providing two lunches for volunteers who helped install equipment.

Volunteers included Hardwick, Tom Swenson, Jerry Volz, Gene White, Pam Graves, Deb Dahlke, Mike O’Connell, Mic Tchida, Tom Shrieber, Dave Schrupp, Mark Fritsvold, Linda Pfaff and Brenda Brittan.

Crosslake volunteers and community center staff installed new playground equipment the week of June 6-11. This new equipment replaces all the older worn out equipment and adds new pieces and features. This new playground area is one of the largest in the region, a PAL news release said.

New features include a roller slide, paired swings, mother/child dual swings, climbing trees, a merry-go-around and a shade structure. Visiting children will have many new experiences.

The Mary Lu Dietz Memorial Obstacle Course offers a challenge for active kids. Special timing is provided with a large display clock showing a participant’s time through the course.

Individual races and tournaments will add excitement to this obstacle course.

The new playground was made possible because of many donors and many hours of volunteer work. The past playground was used extensively, and this will have even more use.

The PAL Foundation thanks all those who helped make this project possible.