May 11, 2023 3:20 a.m. 

The Douglas County Parks Department has announced that they will be installing a new playground structure at River Forks Park in July.

A County release said the structure was designed by Playcraft Systems, LLC from Grants Pass. They are the largest manufacturer of playground equipment on the west coast, It includes a 23.5 foot tall by 11 foot-wide climbing portal tower with a 12 foot tall by 18 foot wide partial-tube spiral slide. It will be surrounded at the base by soft rubber tiles for safety.

The release said the new playground structure will be placed adjacent to the upper playground in the location where the nonoperational wooden replica of Fort Umpqua currently stands. The original replica was built in 1971, but after many years was removed due to safety concerns. The North Roseburg Rotary Cub rebuilt the fort in 1989, but it also has deteriorated to the point where it is no longer safe and the decision was made to close it a number of years ago. Removal of the old fort and ground work in preparation for the new play structure will take place in the next few weeks.

The project is part of the improvement plan for the park and is being paid for entirely by Douglas County Parks Department funds. Approval of the project was made possible by the Board of Commissioners.

More information about the County Parks Department is linked: https://douglascounty-oregon.us/265/Parks