November 15, 2023 6:55 a.m.

The Douglas County Parks Department has announced that the newest play structure at River Forks Park was successfully installed last week and is now open to the public.

A County release said it is located adjacent to the existing upper playground and replaces the nonoperational wooden replica of Fort Umpqua which was removed for safety reasons. The new structure includes a 23-foot tall climbing portal tower with a 12 foot-tall partial-tube spiral slide and is surrounded at the base by soft rubber tiles for safety. It was designed by Playcraft Systems LLC of Grants Pass, the largest manufacturer of playground equipment on the west coast.

The release said the installation of the new playground is part of the county’s continual park improvement plan and was paid for entirely with Parks Department funds. Approval for the project came from the Board of Commissioners. Other recent park improvements at River Forks Park include the replacement of the lower and upper playground areas, new restroom facilities, new upper pavilion and the whale splash pad feature.

River Forks Park is at the confluence of the North Umpqua and South Umpqua Rivers, about 6 miles west of Roseburg on River Forks Park Road. It offers day-use recreational opportunities like playgrounds, including an inclusive playground, along with fishing, kayaking, swimming, rafting, picnicking, walking and pavilion rentals.