The massive old log play structure inside Moran State Park’s north entrance, on Cascade Lake, has been replaced with a new one designed to safely serve more kids across a wider span of ages.
“The current play structure has served its purpose well, but it’s over 30 years old,” said Michel Vekved of the Friends of Moran, which has orchestrated the upgrade. “Safety standards have changed and the use of this structure is high, so based upon those facts our board – along with park approval – decided to pursue a new play structure. Our new structure meets or exceeds current safety standards. It will accommodate a greater number of kids and a broader age range.
The new structure has four slides, lots of clambering apparatus and monkey rings, but no swings.
“Sadly for some, we can’t have it all,” said Vekved. “A swing was not something that could be accommodated within the footprint and still meet the needs for a higher use and broader age range structure.
In a community Facebook discussion, a handful of parents and kids said they will miss the old tire swing.
“My kids love the swing but it’s worth the sacrifice,” said mom of two Katie Spinner, who is glad to see the safety upgrade. The final comment was an enthusiastic welcome to the new play structure: “Finally!” by mom of two Sunshine Hopkins.
Manufactured by the US company Playworld, the structure is made of metal covered with an environmentally friendly, PVC-free coating, and the slides are made of partly recycled materials.
“We think we chose some aesthetically suitable colors, so we won’t be looking at a bright orange, yellow and red structure in the swaying branches of cedar trees,” said Vekved.
The current pea gravel will be replaced with engineered wood fibers. New borders and an ADA-compliant entry ramp will also be added.
More community support is needed to bring the project to fruition: of the structure’s $25,000 cost, the Friends of Moran still needs about $5000. The project has been funded by a grant from the Orcas Island Community Foundation and some “very generous private donations;” additional funding will be provided by the Friends of Moran’s Summit Gift Shop sales and from the Steve Braun Memorial Triathlon.
The Friends of Moran are also looking for volunteers to help take out the old structure and install the new one in early November, a move that will save $2000.
Vekved says the Friend of Moran are “really excited” about the project.
