Twist & Shout
City places new slide at Friendship
By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com

Although the new 12-foot spiral slide at El Campo's Friendship Park targets children between the ages of 6 and 8, it proved an irresistable draw to the children of James and Nicole Priesmeyer of El Campo Monday. Cambrie, 3 1/2, (at top) and Georgia, 5, both squealed with delight as they took turns. The slide opened to the public last weekend and is the largest at a city park. L-N Photo by Shannon Crabtree

The joyous shouts of small children at play are anticipated with the city's decision to add almost $10,000 in playground equipment to Friendship Park.

A 12-foot tall spiral slide has already been set up at the North Wharton Street park and another swing set is on the way.

"This is so much different than anything we have out there," Public Works Director Brad Ramsey said Monday. "It's keyed a little more to the older kids - 6, 7 and 8 year olds. It just looked like it would be fun."

The slide, made by American Playground, was purchased for $8,000.

"It's the largest slide we have on a city playground," Ramsey said.

Fun For All As 3 1/2-year-old Cambrie Priesmeyer made her way down the new 12-foot spiral slide at Friendship Park Monday, she was greeted by her 1-year-old brother Carter. Although the slide is actually targeting children ages 6 to 8, even little Carter couldn't keep his eyes off the new toy. Soon, with grandpa (aka Street Superintendent Daniel Priesmeyer) behind him, the little guy was scaling the ladder to take his turn. His older sister Georgia made sure he got down safely with the supervision of the rest of the family. L-N Photo by Shannon Crabtree

The unit was installed late last week and was officially open for children's use last weekend.

Monday City Street Superintendent Daniel Priesmeyer invited his grandchildren to check out the new equipment.

Daughter Nicole brought them to the park.

"When Georgia (her 5-year-old) saw the slide she said, 'Oh, thank you, Paw- Paw,' and ran for it," she said.

Later, Georgia couldn't be bothered to comment.

After a giggling twirl down the slide, she was stopped.

"Do you like the slide?"

Response? A vigorous nod, a head thrown back to look at ladder and dancing feet.

"Is it better then the other one at the park?"

More nodding, feet scraping rocks and she began to edge toward the ladder looking up at the platform.

"Faster?"

The nodding got more frantic as she began to work her way over to the ladder approach only to be beaten to the spot by her 3 1/2-year-old sister Cambrie.

"What's the best part?"

Cambrie fielded that question.

"Going down," she screamed with a giggle to follow as she raced to the top.

"I think anything for park enhancement is great," El Campo Chamber of Commerce President Becca Socha said. "Some people may take it for granted, but many don't realize just how many people go to the park to enjoy it."

Although no firm numbers are available, Socha said she feels park usage is high.

"With the soccer program, there are 250 to 300 people at that park at one time. It's a great opportunity for them to see and take advantage of what's out there," she said.

A six-seat swing set is still on order for Friendship Park, Ramsey said.

The $1,800 unit is also geared to the slightly older children.

Both are additions to the park.

"Nothing is coming out," Ramsey said.

The city is also in the process of reworking sidewalks on the north side of the park for safety reasons.

Entrances were recently spruced up and awnings painted.

Covering more than 26 acres, Friendship Park is the city's largest facility. It offer soccer fields, a playground area, two covered pavilions which can be rented for special occasions, restrooms, covered sitting areas with barbecue pits, eight tennis courts, a football field, two volleyball courts and a lighted walking track almost a mile long.

The city is in the process of reviewing park equipment, Ramsey said, and is considering new picnic tables in some of the city's seven parks.