Merry-go-round back on track at Lions Park

Published 11:00 am Wednesday, July 26, 2006

POULSBO — It didn’t take long for the merry-go-round at Lions Park to start turning again after it was vandalized July 10.

City public works crews led by public works department assistant superintendent Dan Wilson made the necessary repairs and had it back in service by July 19.

“The damage wasn’t as bad as we first thought,” Wilson said, noting that none of the merry-go-round’s gears were broken.

The extent of the damage was limited to the welds, which holds the equipment in place, and public works crews were able to reweld those supports, he said.

“It’s stronger now than it was when it was put in,” Wilson said.

Poulsbo Police Sgt. Bill Playter said the department is doing its best to patrol the area, but added that there’s only so much it can do.

“If neighbors see or hear anything more than just playing, they should call 911 to let police know,” Playter said.

Since the playground is used by so many children of all ages, it’s difficult to determine if the noise is something other than normal play, he said.

“It’s hard to tell sometimes with kids,” he said, adding that, even so, the department will continue doing its part to prevent any future damage to the playground.

City Councilman Mike Regis, who is also a member of the Poulsbo Noon Lions Club, said the two incidents of vandalism in less than a year raise questions about keeping the merry-go-round in the park.

“It’s a risk-management issue, and sometimes you just have to change the focus of the park,” Regis said.

The first merry-go-round in the park lasted 15 years before it was replaced, but at the time, residents in the area took ownership of the park, he said.

“The city was a lot smaller then and the park didn’t get as much use as it does now,” Regis said.

Instead of installing surveillance equipment to apprehend potential vandals, the best option might be to upgrade the merry-go-round so it can handle the level of use it currently experiences, he said.

Even if the merry-go-round were to be permanently removed from the site, Lions Park would still be attractive because of its proximity to the waterfront and other amenities, he said.

“We’re just going to have to adjust,” Regis said.