Playground opens at Friday Harbor park

By Hayley Day • January 9, 2017 8:34 am

Construction at the John O. Linde Community Park is getting into the swing of things.

“These swings are going to be epic,” said 9-year-old Kieran Cochran, when he visited the park’s new playground with Island Rec’s Winter Break Camp on Dec. 29.

On Friday, Dec. 22, a ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the opening of the playground, which is the largest on San Juan Island, according to Island Rec Director Maddie Ovenell.

The bulk of the Carter Avenue playground was constructed on Oct. 1 with the help of about 40 volunteers. Sidewalks and railings were recently added, which were needed to open the playground.

The playground includes swings, a geometric spider dome for children to climb on and a slide in the shape of a mini bulldozer. Tables and benches will be added in the summer for a picnic area.

“We want the park to be for entire families,” said Lowell Jons, recreation specialist at Island Rec. “Some kids can play in the fields and younger ones can enjoy the playground.”

The San Juan Island School District owns the park, but Island Parks and Recreation District has leased it since January 2016, when the previous year’s levy funds were available, said Ovenell.

In 2015, a 38.5 cent levy passed for Island Rec, which included 8 cents to maintain and operate the park.

Friday Harbor High School soccer games were played on the park’s soccer field, last August. The park’s softball field is open for play this spring. The football/multipurpose field should be open by next fall and construction on the baseball field will begin this spring.

For more information, visit www.islandrec.org.