Flooded Kids Attraction Rebuilding, Again

Wednesday, July 18th 2007, 5:00 pm

By: News On 6

The very popular Kiddie Park in Bartlesville was damaged by the flood almost three weeks ago. But The News On 6â€™s Emory Bryan reports the community spirit that started the park continues.

Most of the damage at the Bartlesville Kiddie Park is hard to see now that it's dried out. It would have been worse, but the flood warning gave them time to move some equipment to higher ground.

â€œThere for about 48 hours we were working non-stop just pulling out tools, equipment and supplies out of the concession stands,â€ said Kiddie Park manager Bill Alexander.

The nearby Caney River flooded the park with five feet of water. Debris piled up against the fences, and when the water drained away a heavy layer of contaminated silt was left behind. Every ride has been sanitized, but the repairs will take more time and money.

â€œIt's a full blown go to it from top to bottom, check everything and make sure it's safe before we let the public back in,â€ Alexander said.

The park was built by the community almost 60 years ago, and when it was flooded back in 1986 it was largely rebuilt. Now that it's flooded again the community has once more reached out to help.

â€œI think it shows the resilience that we have,â€ said Park President Ron Adams.

Ron Adams is the president of the community group that keeps the park going, and keeps the prices low, just 25 cents a ride.

â€œI guess you could say the flood of 1986 could have been ruination, but there were too many people who were going to see this tradition go forward and we're going to do it again,â€ Adams said.

The parks train is the showpiece of the park, and though it was damaged it survived the flood. Like the rest of the Kiddie Park, it's going to be entertaining children again soon.

So far all of the clean up has been done by volunteers, and local companies have been helping with repairs. The park could reopen as soon as August 1st.

Watch the video: Park Recovering From Flooding

For more flooding information, check out our STORM ZONE web page.