Rebuilding Wildcat Park

A group of neighbors, Wilson School students and parents, and lovers of Wildcat Park have formed a committee to raise money, design and build a new play structure following a determination that the current structure needed to be replaced.

The Corvallis School District and City of Corvallis recognize that safety codes have changed since the park was built 17 years ago and it is no longer in compliance with playground safety codes currently observed.

The original committee that built the park raised $80,000 to construct a community built playground. Bob Leathers Company of Ithaca New York was hired to facilitate design, organization and construction of Wildcat Park. The playground/park was designed from the imaginations of the children of Wilson school. Bob Leathers incorporated their ideas into the design of the park. The park was built under the supervision of his company by hundreds of volunteers.

Many community groups helped in fund raising. Children and the community collected 1.5 million pennies and covered the gym floor at Wilson School. The Corvallis Rotary Club conducted a silent auction and dance with Johnny Limbo and the Lugnuts which raised $15,000. Collecting bottles and cans, a quilt show and spaghetti dinner were some of the other fundraising efforts.

Volunteers were grouped into committees consisting of public relations, volunteers, food, childcare, tools and children representatives. When the time came to build the park volunteers were assigned duties according to their expertise. Some used loaned hammers and saws to do the actual building, some sanded or painted, some prepared food for the volunteers, and some took care of the children so adults could work 4 hour shifts.

The entire park was built in 5 days and the community celebrated its completion.