Playground project gets funding boost, still needs donations

The construction of a new playground at Smith Fields got an extra boost after Weyerhaeuser last week donated a $2,500 grant to the project.

Project Whitefish Kids, the nonprofit that operates, maintains and develops the Smith Fields Youth Sports Complex, is currently raising funds for a new playground structure at the park, which they’ve priced at $292,000. The current playground was constructed in 2002 when the complex was built, but no longer meets safety standards.

So far, they’ve raised $82,000, about 27 percent of their overall goal, Gloria Nelson, chair of the playground advisory committee, said.

The grant from Weyerhaeuser makes a difference, but the fundraising isn’t over yet. The group hopes to have the playground ready for use in spring 2018.

PWK will host another tile painting event at Stumptown Art Studio on Jan. 27 from 10 a.m. to noon. For a donation of $25, those interested can paint a 4-inch tile that will go into the future picnic pavilion at the park. Donations of $250 will get a 6-inch tile, and an 8-inch tile comes with a corporate donation of $1,000.

So far, the community support has been great, Nelson said.

“We have had over 105 donors donate to support our project. We are so excited to have such great support from the community,” she said.

The new playground was designed by Noland Design Studio. It would occupy a 120-by-80-foot space and offer up 42 different play events and 14 slides and swings.

The play equipment alone costs $142,000, with the remaining $150,000 coming in installation, site preparation, surfacing and freight costs. A pavilion will also be built nearby to offer space for families to enjoy and use for various events.

Flathead Valley Community College’s heavy equipment operator certification program has been doing all of the site preparation to level the playground space and address drainage issues in the park.