A group of volunteers spent two Saturdays, April 16 and April 23, installing the largest of three new playgrounds at Opstad Elementary.

This installation finished the first phase of an almost two-year project that included fund raising, design and planning work, grant writing, volunteer team building and recruiting. The financial support and hard work of the Opstad PTA and grants from King County and Washington Mutual have helped make this effort a reality.

The team would like to thank all those that helped make this first phase successful, especially: John Jester- Opstad principal; Carl Larson- district operations manager; Susan Livingston; Lara Currie; Lyn Seydell- past PTA president; Stacy Stead- current PTA president; Latreash Duvall; Karen Bezanson; Susie Scoones; Fred Alati; Dave Buzard; Sandy Heaslett; Laura Mandlekorn; Colleen Funk; Lisa Blessard; Barney Stevenson- Pointswest Services LLC; Paul Stead-Skyline Homes; Dr. Brian Duvall- Snoqualmie Eyecare Associates; Chris Nelson and Sam Metzler; John and Cecile Richards; Tonya Coburn- kindergarten teacher; Gena Meyer- second-grade teacher and PTA staff liaison; Anthea Hubanks; Susan Baysinger; Mrs. Williams’ first-grade class; Mrs. Haggerty’s second-grade class; Opstad PTA’s board and members; Opstad students; Scott Harrison; Adam Berkelhammer; Ross Loudenback; Aaron Loudenback; Michael Blood; David Spring; Kevin Himka; Gregg Spear; Mark Goodwin; Chris Scoones; Larry Zinkin; Ken Seydell; Gary Whitson; Ted Mandelkorn; Carole Loudenback; Lynnae Bridges; Mark Gibbons; David Cook; Roland Radtke and Jeff Hansen- Northwest Recreation of Washington; Red Cross-Americorps- Lynda Seyfert and team; King County Youth Sports Facility Grant Program; Washington Mutual; Duane Warner- Bartells; Starbucks- North Bend store; Frankie’s Pizza; R & R Rentals; Cadman; Chinook Lumber; and all those who have given financial and other support.

There are many others that helped with this project and I know many in the community will be there when we install the other two playground areas in July. This has been a very special project that has shown that this community always reaches out to help and it has been an honor to lead this effort.

Caroline Loudenback

Opstad playground project manager

North Bend