If you build it they will come

One of the main projects I undertook here at Lakeview Church was to build a kids' play park out back. We have so much space behind the church that a few of us immediately started dreaming about how best to utilise it - the play park being just one of the ways.

We wanted to create something that not only the church kids would enjoy, but that would draw children and families from the community surrounding the church. The famous line from Field of Dreams kept coming to me, but in my case it went "If you build it they will come."

I did hours of research about current trends in play park building, safety protocols, designs here in Canada, in the US and in the UK. And finally, after much brainstorming, we decided on a model - using as many natural materials as possible.

One of our main aims was to build a fun, challenging play area. Current research shows that play parks have become so safe and devoid of adventure that few children want to play in them. And judging by all the empty play parks that I drive past every day, I believe it. Another interesting fact that emerged was that if children didn't learn to overcome their fear of heights early, that they would carry it into their adult lives.

And so that is what we have set out to create - a challenging, fun park - the way they are meant to be.

I won't go into details about the planning and logistics, but will try to explain how we have arrived where we are - with the help of volunteers, donations and bloody-mindedness!

First came the rocks - inspired by a gigantic one in front of the church, that kids come to play on from far and wide. One mom across the road told me that her teenage daughter had grown up playing on it.  And her nine-year-old has become my unofficial "tester" whenever we finish installing one of the apparatuses.

It all started with Brian and me going down to United Concrete & Gravel's pit to pick out some of the largest, meanest rocks we could find. Two of them were the heaviest that the machinery at United's disposal could move ... Obviously we picked those!

Before I was really ready to launch (in my mind, anyway) one Tony B called to say he was on his way to pick me up: that it was rock moving day. The rocks put up an almighty fight, but Tony refused to give up, and we won in the end.

Loading the first rock at United Concrete

Loading the second one - even bigger than the first.

Arriving at the church - they don't look that big on the flatbed but they are!

Manipulating one of the rocks into place.

Our first two kids on the rocks - the "tester" and a friend.

Our next project was the "mini fort" for the smaller kids. The fort was designed and built over an unsightly storm water culvert by Bill, whose mantra is, "We can do it, we have the technology." Adam, another chap from church, donated the slide within minutes of hearing of our need for one.

The mini fort - a Bill Rorke creation.

Then came the climbing wall. This was built on the side of an existing tool and storage shed. First, Bill extended the roof, then we painted five sheets of plywood, bought beginners' holds from MEC in Vancouver, bolted them on and screwed the sheets to the shed. It's anything but easy to climb but a few of the kids are getting close to conquering it (and even an adult or two are trying).

Planning the layout on the ground

Super-tester - the Colinator.

Climbing wall done

Next came the foundations for the tree house, which we will be building around one of the trees. It also includes a free-standing tower, which will have a rope bridge leading to the main tree house. And then there will be swings off to the one side too. Again, United concrete supplied the auger, which we used to bore the holes, and the concrete.

Digging foundations for the tree house

Pouring concrete

Foundations for tree house and swings coming along nicely

Team effort

Tired yet? Okay, I'll try to continue tomorrow ...