A-Moose-Ment Park gets upgrades

PALMER -- The Palmer A-Moose-Ment Park is getting a new parking lot and a spring cleaning, and organizers say it is a continuation of the community spirit that built the park four years ago.

This summer the city of Palmer is putting about $100,000 into the playground area, including $66,000 to pave the parking lot. Since the community playground was built in 1999, visitors have parked at the Palmer Moose Lodge.

"The Moose have been very, very supportive … but sometimes their parking lot gets taken up," said Janet Kincaid, who spearheaded construction of the playground. With the city paving the gravel lot located on West Fern Avenue, Kincaid said she hopes this summer people will be able to begin parking there instead.

Palmer Public Works Superintendent Rick Koch said he anticipates Premier Alaska Inc. beginning the project any day now, with paving slated for later in the summer.

The $100,000 earmarked for the A-Moose-Ment Park, Koch said, is part of the city council's ongoing commitment to "quality of life" improvements in the city and implementation of its new parks powers, assumed from the borough last year.

In addition to the paving, Koch said the city money may also go toward upgrading a nearby concrete bathroom facility that has been out of service. In the meantime, portable bathrooms will again be installed at the park as they have during past summers.

Even as the city takes on these larger projects, the community support that built the park will fuel a spring cleaning next month. Park supporters are hoping to gather volunteers during the weekend of May 2.

"Bring your rakes," said volunteer Carolyn Hanson. "The more help the better."

Hanson said volunteers will be working at the site Friday, Saturday and Sunday, weather permitting. In addition to picking up garbage and tightening bolts, Hanson said they will be applying a coat of wood sealant to the playground equipment, and they are also hoping to bring in fresh wood chips.

Vandalism has been somewhat of a concern at the park, Kincaid said. This last winter, vandals spray-painted some of the equipment and caused some other minor damage.

"It's kind of an ongoing thing," Kincaid said. At the same time, she said far more people are concerned about keeping the park in good shape. Kincaid said parents often call her when they see something that needs repaired or cleaned up.

"And I've seen moms going through and picking up garbage," she said.

Kincaid said during the years the park has become a popular spot for children to play and families to have picnics.

"I think the entire community just loves the A-Moose-Ment Park," Kincaid said. "From the beginning to right now, it's had tremendous support."

Discussion of building a playground in Palmer began in 1997, and while choosing a location initially sparked heated debate, two years later the A-Moose-Ment Park was built near the Moose Lodge. Construction was funded through donations from dozens of local businesses and residents, and countless adults and children volunteered their time to help build it. Throughout the design and construction process, local children helped determine how the playground would look.

People interested in volunteering for the cleanup days in May may call Carolyn Hanson at 745-2800.