New Playground Nearing Completion in Oil City

| July 18, 2018

OIL CITY, Pa. (EYT) – The Land of Laughter Playground project on Harriott Avenue, which began in mid-June, is finally nearing completion.

According to Howard Faunce, Oil City Director of Public Works, the playground may open soon; though, there is still work to be completed.

“We’re going to install wood fibers tomorrow around the play area, but we still have to raise money for topsoil and grass seed for the grassy areas,” Faunce said.

There was one section of playground equipment, a swingset segment, that was damaged during installation. Replacement equipment is being sent and will also need to be installed, Faunce continued.

All of the equipment installations have been done by a contractor that works specifically for the company the playground equipment was purchased.

Once the equipment is installed, the City will work on the landscaping aspect of the project. Project costs, originally estimated at $83,930.97, were paid for mainly through grants and donations.

According to Faunce, the equipment came in at the projected cost, but the projected cost did not include the cost of the landscaping.

Faunce explained that they would like to redo the covering on the nearby wall, which is currently covered with plywood.

Donations for the project have flowed in from local organizations, businesses, and individuals, including a $15,000.00 donation from Webco, a $1,050.00 grant from the Take Pride Grant; $1,000.00 donations from Klapec Trucking, the Oil City Eagles, the Oil City Moose, and the PNA Club; a $500.00 donation from Petrolia Lodge; a $250.00 donation from Barr’s Insurance; a $200.00 donation from the Pulaski Club; and a $100.00 donation from SMS Millcraft.

The Land of Laughter Playground was originally built in the 1990s through efforts of community volunteers and community fundraising.

“To get almost 20 years out of the playground with its wooden equipment was pretty good,” said Kelly Amos, Director of Community Development for Oil City.

As a nod to those volunteers and donors, Amos said the wooden slats that have their names on it at the playground will remain in place.

“They are still there and will remain in place,” Amos said.

Those slates will pretty much be the only thing from the old playground, which was torn down with the help of BKI Excavating of Oil City thanks to Bret Klapec, whose services saved the city thousands of dollars.


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