Construction of the Playground by the Sound is just around the corner, and organizers are seeking volunteers and donated tools and food for the big job.

More than 1,000 volunteers are expected to help construct the 12,000-square-foot regional playground at the Chamber Creek Properties in University Place from Sept. 20 to 25.

“It’s quite an elaborate process,” said Linda Bird, a former University Place mayor and co-chairwoman of the project’s steering committee. “It has many moving parts to make it all come together. … Everyone is in full-go mode. Materials are starting to be delivered. It’s an exciting time.” …

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A $30,000 grant from the Pepsi Refresh project and a $40,000 donation from the local Names Family Foundation have helped boost fundraising for the Playground by the Sound in University Place to about $111,000.

A group of community volunteers plans to erect the playground in the North Meadow of Pierce County’s Chambers Creek Properties in September. The total budget is around $164,000.

The 12,000-square-foot play area is to include swings, tunnels, nets, bridges, slides, monkey bars, climbing walls and other features to provide exercise for kids and stimulate their imaginations, according to the organizers’ website.

Much of the funding is coming from local businesses and individual donors, said Playgorund by the Sound steering committee member Linda Bird, a former mayor of University Place.

But news of the of the $40,000 Names Family Foundation grant last month “was a wonderful Christmas present,” Bird said. Winning the $30,000 Pepsi grant was a geat way to begin 2011, she added.

Now, Playground by the Sound volunteers are teaming with other groups in the community to seek a total of $65,000 in grants during the current round of Pepsi Refresh grant voting.

The project is giving away millions of dollars to community groups for a wide array of improvements. Winners are chosen though website voting. To get to the University Place project site, click here

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Trouble getting railing sections for the so-called Bridge to the Beach has delayed its opening until Sept. 16.

The bridge originally was set to open Sept. 2. It will allow pedestrian access to a 2.5-mile stretch of previously inaccessible Puget Sound waterfront at the Chambers Creek properties in University Place.

Contractors are awaiting the final pieces of cable railing sections for the bridge before it can open, according to a news release issued by Pierce County this morning.

The bridge, officially called the North Dock Overpass, is being built at a cost of $3.8 million. About $3.15 million comes from state grants; $650,000 from the Pierce County sewer utility.

It crosses the railroad tracks, allowing public access to the beach from the Central Meadow area at the Chambers Creek recreation area.

The opening ceremony now is set for 3 p.m. Sept. 16, the news release said.

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If you’ve got a hankering to walk or bicycle along the Soundview or Grandview trails at Pierce County’s Chambers Creek Properties in University Place, or if you’re thinking of letting Rover romp in the Central Meadow, you’ll have to wait until Aug. 30 to do it at no charge.

The popular Chambers Creek properties are be closed to the nonpaying public beginning today for the U.S. Amateur championship at Chambers Bay golf course.

The closure runs from through Aug. 29.

If you still want to get in your scenic walk or bike trip, you can do so, but …

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Looking for a great viewing spot for Fourth of July fireworks – away from the crowds on Commencement Bay?

Portions of Pierce County’s Chambers Creek properties, including two parking lots, will be open late Sunday for people who want to see the Town of Steilacoom’s show from that vantage.

The Chambers Creek trails and lots normally are open from dawn to dusk. They’ll close at 11 p.m. Sunday.

Steilacoom’s annual fireworks show over Puget Sound begins at 10:30 p.m. Sunday.

University Place residents can get their first detailed look at how Pierce County plans to hold the 2010 U.S. Amateur Championship in their suburban community.

The county will hold a “Community Kick-off” Open House from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., June 10. Residents can visit with Pierce County and City of University Place officials, ask questions and learn more about Chambers Bay Golf Course’s biggest event to date.
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University Place officials learned a few more details about exactly how Pierce County plans to pull off the U.S. Amateur golf tournament this summer at Chambers Bay.

Kevin Phelps, Deputy County Executive & Executive Director of Operations & Infrastructure, told the University Place City Council last night that county will submit an application for a master permit for the event in the next two or three weeks. That means the event can get the city’s approval for issues such as transportation and public safety in one swoop.

But Phelps did provide some details when asked by City Council members about the event, which is expected to attract 2,500 to 5,000 visitors per day.
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University Place and Lakewood fire officials say merging the two districts makes sense financially, but some residents are questioning whether their tax dollars would be spent wisely.

On Tuesday, about 60 people attended the University Place Fire District 3 board meeting to discuss the proposed merger.

Some residents said they support the move; others argued against it.

“I firmly believe this is a good deal for Lakewood,” said Scott Stephen of University Place. “I do not believe this is a good deal for University Place.”

Bill Bush, UP’s former fire chief, said the two districts have common interests. This isn’t the 1990s either, he said, referring to previously failed efforts to merge the districts.

“As far as a ‘them-us’ mentality — please. We’ve been down that road before and it serves no purpose,” he said.
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