The Black Forest Regional Park Playground escaped the Black Forest fire, but not the aftermath of flash flooding. The playgroundís safety surfacing was soaked with ash, debris and other potentially unsafe materials causing El Paso County Parks to close the playground area.ìThe playground surfacing is a specially engineered wood fiber product designed to mitigate injuries from falls,î said Dana Nordstrom, El Paso County Parks. ìOnce this surfacing became infiltrated with flash flooding debris Ö the surfacing became compromised and ineffective; the only remedy is to completely remove and replace the surfacing material.îOn Oct. 2, the Pikes Peak Community Foundation gave El Paso County Parks $10,000 to purchase new surfacing. On Oct. 16, students from Pine Creek High School volunteered their time during Senior Service Day to dig out the contaminated playground surfacing and prepare it for the new material.Darryl Glenn, El Paso County commissioner, said, ìMy appreciation goes out to the Pikes Peak Foundation and the students and faculty at Pine Creek High School. This is a great example of community partners willing to provide time, labor and financial resources to support the Black Forest Fire Recovery efforts.î
