Kids could be using the burned-down Lester Park Elementary playground again as soon as the first week of November.
The fire, which destroyed the playground in the early morning hours of Oct. 1, allegedly started after two 14-year-olds burned some items in a makeshift fire pit on the playground and failed to extinguish the fire before they left, according to Duluth police. Police said it probably smoldered for hours, gaining heat until it engulfed the playground equipment in flames.
New equipment and materials have been ordered, Duluth school district property and risk manager Kerry Leider told School Board members Monday. And while insurance is covering the cost of the $141,000 brand-new playground, the district is on the hook for the $25,000 deductible.
Board member Tom Kasper, speaking as supervisor of street and park maintenance operations for the city of Duluth, volunteered to organize a community build for the playground, with the city providing park maintenance staff. It's planned for Oct. 22 pending the delivery of equipment.
Kasper, who has been involved with the planning and construction of more than three dozen city playgrounds and parks, said the use of 30 adult volunteers would get most of the job done in a day. Cement used to build will need time to set, so another day would be needed to lay down the shredded rubber surface.
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The cost for installation is $22,000, Leider said, so volunteers would take care of much of the cost of the deductible.
"A lot of people don't have perspective on the cost of these types of playgrounds," Leider said.
At Lester Park, the playground serves the public and about 550 children who attend the school.
The city always asks for community involvement in building playgrounds and parks because then people are invested in them, Kasper said.
"There is such a strong buy-in for the community when they are part of the construction and success of it," he said.
School Board member Ann Wasson said she wanted to see the parents of the teens, who are facing charges of fifth-degree arson and the setting of a felony negligent fire, to be held accountable for the damage.
"With minors there is little we can do," Wasson said. "I would like to see parents in this case held for the deductible on this, if not more. It tells other folks we won't tolerate this. With our brand-new facilities or old ... you shouldn't get a slap on the hand and walk away."
She also said people who want to give to the cause should be allowed to, whether it's children, businesses or community members.
