An old favorite jungle gym could soon reappear in Engstrom Park in Batavia, if residents are willing to pay for it.
The Batavia Parks Foundation this month launched a fundraising campaign to replace the SpaceNet, a pyramid-shaped climbing structure made of fabric-covered steel cables.
The original SpaceNet occupied the west side park from 1984 until 1998, when vandals cut several of the cables.
“The equipment was off the market at that time and we couldn’t get parts to repair it, so we had to dismantle it. People were very disappointed,” said James Eby, director of planning and development for the Batavia Park District.
A new, more easily repaired version of the German-made climbing structure is back on the market, and the 2-year-old foundation has made funding one its first major project, Eby said.
It will cost about $35,000 to buy the equipment, prepare a space in the playground for it and install it, he added.
While the foundation has not planned any formal fundraising activities for the SpaceNet project, residents can donate to it by calling the foundation at 879-5235.