By CHRIS GEDYE

A community group formed at the end of last year to revamp the playground at Meridian Park (on Meridian between 46th and 50th) has just been awarded a $10,000 Small and Simple grant from the city's Department of Neighborhoods to help get the project underway.

"We're thrilled to have made it to this first step," said Lisa Kuh, Wallingford resident and chairman of the Friends of Meridian Park Playground. "Now it's time for the whole community to step up to the plate so we end up with a park everyone can feel great about."

A public meeting in February yielded an initial playground wish list: New climbing structures, slides and swings; a small stage; a basketball court; and a water feature such as a splashing fountain. Community members in attendance also asked that play areas for younger and older kids be separated in some way, and that the layout allow parents full visibility of the whole playground.

The newly-awarded grant money will be used to fund the initial design concept. Barker Landscape Architect was selected by the group's hiring committee; the firm has done similar community-led playground projects including Carkeek Park, the playground at 59th and Phinney Avenue, and Baker Park. Barker will work with the committee and community members to design the playground; the first community meeting is set for June 9 at 7 p.m. at the Good Shepherd Center, Room 202.

Though the final budget won't be complete until later this year, it is estimated that total cost of the project, from the demolition of the existing playground to designing, re-landscaping, and installing new play equipment, will cost somewhere between $250,000 to $300,000.

Raising that money is the next challenge. "Our hope is that the Department of Neighborhoods Matching Fund will help us with up to half of the total, but that means we as a community have to come up with the other half," says Kuh. Those donations will come in the form of time, cash, and goods and services. "Every hour that a parent pledges to spend handing out flyers at school, fundraising, serving on the design committee, attending meetings, or installing the play structure will count as $12 towards the matching grant." Other fundraisers being discussed are family festivals in the park, community rummage sales, and concerts at local cafes. The committee is looking for a dedicated, enthusiastic person to head up the fundraising efforts.

Kuh hopes that Wallingford businesses will help with cash donations, as well as goods and services. "This is a project that businesses can feel great about contributing to. The park isn't used nearly to it's potential right now because families get in their cars and drive to other playgrounds with more to offer. Local businesses have a stake in keeping community members here in Wallingford on sunny afternoons and summer weekends."

Local schools and daycare centers also make heavy use of Meridian Park. Parents, children, teachers, and administrators from the Meridian School, St. Benedicts, Small Planet Montessori, Wallingford Cooperative Preschool, Interlake Childcare and Learning Center, and Bethany Bears are encouraged to attend public meetings about the playground's future. Watch your school newsletters (and this publication's calendar) for exact dates.

To volunteer or donate, call Lisa Kuh at 545-3715.