DECATUR - The first playground, mostly made from wood, was built 17 years ago by a small army of volunteers.

The Decatur Park District is looking for helpers to build the next one, which could last for more than 30 years.

The playground in Scovill Park, adjacent to Scovill Zoo, will be assembled this Saturday and Sunday. It will include nine slides, colorful play panels, an interactive music station, a fossil wall and a smooth rubber surface designed to accommodate visitors of all ages and abilities.

"The materials are safer, more child-friendly," said Judy Locke, Decatur Parks Foundation president.

The original playground, which was demolished recently, had been badly deteriorating. The new one, to be constructed from powder-coated steel and composite fiberglass, is expected to withstand wear and tear much better.

The cost of the playground, $326,000, will be paid for through a combination of funding sources: part of a state grant, park district funds and private and corporate donations.

The park district is receiving $236,000 through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Open Space Land Acquisition and Development grants program. This grant will be used toward the playground and other Scovill Park improvements: a new pavilion, parking lot enhancement, interpretive signs on flowers and plants and drainage for the park entrance.

Park district operations director Jim Kiefer said volunteers do not need any special skills to help build the playground. Skilled people will guide them.

"When they come out, we'll break them into groups of seven or eight," Kiefer said. "They will each take a section of the playground. There are nine platforms. Each group will have a section to assemble and install."

The park district leaders plan to have everything ready for the volunteers, so they can be put the work right away.

"Everything they need will be there when they get there. They just have to show up and we can get started," Kiefer said.

Food and drinks will be provided, thanks to business donors: coffee by Starbucks, water and pop by Pepsi, breakfast foods by Hardee's and lunch by Wal-Mart.

hfreeman@herald-review.com|421-6985

VOLUNTEERS

Volunteers needed to build Scovill Park playground:

When: Four shifts: 8 a.m. to noon and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 18 and 19

Where: Scovill Park, 71 S. Country Club Road

To register: Call Lisa Gillen at 422-5911 by 5 p.m. Friday, or register in person at the park.