Penny Playground at Recreation Park is slated to be replaced as part of park renovations scheduled for later this year.
The City of Chehalis Parks Department and the Chehalis Foundation will open a time capsule sealed 25 years ago as part of an event commemorating the history of Penny Playground at noon on Sunday.
Community members raised money and provided much of the labor in 1993 to build the current Penny Playground within Recreation Park in Chehalis. The Chehalis Foundation and City of Chehalis are partnering on a complete renovation of the park to include disability-friendly equipment and the installation of all-weather surfaces.
Sunday’s event is meant for the public to say their farewells to the original playground and learn about the upcoming renovations ahead of an expected summer start date. Local fundraising efforts combined with state appropriations and grant funding will cover a significant portion of the expense.
“It seems only fitting to be opening this time capsule now while we get ready to build the new Penny Playground,” said Connie Small, project manager of the original playground project, in a press release by the City of Chehalis. “This is a nice way to honor the past and celebrate the community that made all of it possible.”
The first 200 people at the event will receive free ice cream courtesy of Umpqua Bank. Children will have the opportunity to have their face painted for free. For more information, visit chehalisFoundation.org/pennyplayground or email Lilly Wall, Chehalis Parks and Recreation Manager, at lwall@ci.chehalis.wa.us.
