<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you build it, they will come,\u201d definitely holds true for the new Dolores playground.<\/p>\n
After a two-year fundraising and rebuilding process, children again are playing on a castle-style fun center at Joe Rowell Park.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s great to hear all the laughter and see how much fun the kids are having,\u201d said Dolores Town board member Jen Stark.<\/p>\n
Contractor Play by Design teamed up with town staff and skilled volunteer builders to install the main structure over two weeks in early June.<\/p>\n
It was funded by a $173,400 Great Outdoors Colorado Grant, town funding and local donations. A larger, communitywide volunteer project was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n
Additional equipment for children ages 2 to 5 will be added later by KaBoom!, which awarded the project $80,000. The company hopes to have a volunteer community build in the fall. For more information, visit the Dolores Playground Group Facebook page.<\/p>\n
The playground is now open, but because of restrictions on gatherings, only 10 children are allowed at one time, and they should stay 6 feet apart. Kids are required to wear face coverings when unable to maintain safe social distancing.<\/p>\n
Families should bring their own hand sanitizer. Town staff plan to sanitize the playground daily.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe community support for this project has been amazing. Everyone is smiling while volunteering 10-to-12-hour days,\u201d said Lee Archer, co-founder of Play by Design and construction lead. \u201cHats off to everyone for making this happen.\u201d<\/p>\n
A grand playground at Joe Rowell Park has been a traditional hallmark of Dolores recreation for decades. It, along with the nearby Dolores River and hiking trails, attracts summer visitors from throughout the Four Corners.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe came together to restore a gathering place where families and friends meet to relax outside of work. That\u2019s key for a healthy society and town,\u201d said Kalin Grigg, volunteer builder and member of the Dolores Parks Committee.<\/p>\n