An elaborate play structure that was burned twice by arsonists is being rebuilt – and moved to South Natomas Community Park.
Volunteers are relocating the Fort Natomas playground from Jefferson Park, where it was burned in 2006 and again in May.
On Thursday, volunteers completed decks of the fort and started working on its handrails, benches, cones and tunnels. They hung suspension bridges, finished tile wall mosaics and worked on other art projects.
Hundreds of volunteers began work on the play structure Tuesday and prepped for the construction project over the weekend, despite heavy rain.
About 400 volunteers have come out each day to work on elements of the project, said Chris McSwain, one of the Fort Natomas committee members.
Many volunteers who show up intending to help for a few hours, return to help day after day, he said.
"Some people start working on a certain part of the playground and it becomes 'theirs,' " McSwain said. "You kind of get hooked on it and want to finish it."
The play structure is scheduled to be completed Sunday, but the playground won't open until December, after a rubberized play surface is added.
Organizers are planning a celebration at the park Sunday to thank volunteers, McSwain said.
For more information, go to www.fortnatomas.org.
Call The Bee's Niesha Lofing, (916) 321-1270.
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