State park is past halfway to fundraising goal

The Friends of Harrington Beach State Park (HBSP) have raised $16,300 toward its goal of $30,000 to add playground equipment across from the Ansay Welcome Center.

The group recently received a $5,000 grant from the Bruce Krier Charitable Foundation and $500 from the Kiwanis AKTION Club/Portal, Inc., secretary Elaine Stecker-Kochanski said.

The playground equipment is estimated to cost $100,000. A donation from the estate of Jeanne Hare with money left after the handicapped-accessible cabin in the park was built made a big dent in the fundraising goal.

The HBSP completed the cabin before the estate was settled, so the board of directors decided to fund a portion of an all-inclusive playground.

The project follows the park’s 2004 master plan that lists a playground in its “higher priority” category. A 2011 proposal kept getting bumped until now.

Before the playgound may be built, the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board must approve its design. Lee Recreation is building the playground.

Donations can be made at the park office  or via Friends’ merchandise such as fleeces, T-shirts and caps, Stecker-Kochanski said.