By Tara de Ryk
May 31, 2010

DAVIDSON—It may look cute and innocent, with its big, curlicue spring and tipped-back trunk, but that little blue elephant in Arnold Park has caused much pain.
Over the years the elephant has knocked heads with its fair share of Davidson youth.

Its sidekick, the horse, also has a mean streak.

The horse is known as "the dentist" because it has taken out so many teeth.

The two animal's reign of terror could soon come to an end now that a steering committee has been formed with the goal of upgrading and replacing the playground equipment in Arnold Park.

Davidson's recreation director Morgan Grainger said he met recently with a group of moms with toddlers and young children who would like to see the playground upgraded.

"I told them they would have to take the initiative and they did," Grainger said. "The intentions are very good and the enthusiasm is there."

He said the steering committee consists of Jesse Foster, Mandy Tichit, Crystal Johnson, Erin Kinder, Erin Gust and Donna Stone.

"The idea is to put in brand new, safety certified equipment," Grainger says. "I remember some of that equipment from when I was a kid."

He said there are many innovative play structures being produced today, adding there will be a toddler area and another area for children aged five to 12.

Grainger said the new equipment is required to fit into the existing equipment's footprint so the grounds are easily maintained by public works.

As well, the playground equipment will be accessible to children with disabilities.

He said the committee has a goal of raising $50,000 and hopes to have a project ready to go next year.

The last major upgrade at Arnold Park was conducted in the late 1980s and early 1990s by the Davidson Kinettes. In more recent years the Kinsmen installed the wooden play structure to replace an ageing apparatus.

The leaderonline is a division of The Davidson Leader, Davidson, Saskatchewan, Canada.