Demolition of Orange’s popular castle playground has started. Parts of the 40-foot wooden castle are on the ground at Lions Den Park along Main Avenue at Adams Bayou.
The city of Orange in February closed the wooden playground, which is about 22 years old, after an engineer declared it unsafe. The playground was a popular site that drew out-of-town groups, including schools, for outings.
The city has saved $547,000 to replace the playground, but no plans have been made. The city council in early March, before the Covid 19 disaster declaration, had a public workshop on the future of the park. At the time, city officials said “iconic” parts of the castle will be saved and worked into the landscaping of the new play area.
The playground was built through a communitywide effort to raise money, along with volunteer labor. At the workshop, Orange County Commissioner Johnny Trahan said the county is interested in helping with a new playground. Representatives of civic groups and individuals from different areas of the county also said they want to help with a new play area.
Because of the pandemic, no decisions have been made and no other meetings have been held.
-Margaret Toal, KOGT-
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