Upon the closing of Wildcat Park, we asked readers to send us their memories of the park. In addition to several letters to the editor, here is what readers sent to the newspaper:

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I was skimming the news online today and came across the story about the closing of Wildcat Park. While I understand the necessity of closing down the park it’s still sad to think of Wilson Elementary and Corvallis without the park.

I grew up in Corvallis and was in school at Wilson when the park was being built. I remember some of the planning sessions in the school cafeteria when they were describing in detail some of the features the park would have: curly slides, secret passages, mazes ... it was enough to make a kid giddy with excitement.

It was fun seeing the place built and helping as much as we could. We washed tires and soaped screws during recess and we all were proud to wear our bright blue shirts proclaiming “I helped build Wildcat Park.”

When it finally came together, it was the best place in the world for an elementary school kid. We had hours of good times running around the structures and fighting over the best features.

I hope that the school district and the community can come together with a project that can provide a similarly great environment for kids and families.

Andrew Trout

Rochester, Minn.

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I am saddened to hear of the closing of wildcat park. As a former resident and student of Philomath I have the most fun memories of playing night-tag at the park. My cousins and friends would meet at Wildcat at dusk during the summers for a game of night-tag. It is one of my favorite parks in Corvallis and I can’t believe it is closed. I live in Reno now but I am so happy to have the memories of Wildcat.

Angie Penn Antinoro

Reno, Nev.

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When we first starting talking about a park in north Corvallis, several areas were discussed. However, Wilson School was the best choice. We as parents put together a committee that consisted of parents and teachers. Then we got to work to make this dream come true. (After) two years of fund-raising and promoting this concept in the community, we starting building our park. With the help of over 5,000 volunteers, in five days we built the best park in Corvallis.

At the end, my fondest memory was when we let the children onto the park. My sons were in the third and fifth grade at the time. The looks in their eyes brought tears to my eyes. They had their own park, that they voted on with the rest of the school for the name.

It truly saddens me that the park will no longer be there for the children. I understand the reason for the closing, but I am still saddened by it.

I have many pictures of the park during the construction, which I will always treasure. A very special thank you goes to Roy Hart, who was one of our biggest supporters from the beginning.

Linda Soulier

Pinellas Park, Fla.

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In all of my six years at Wilson, the moments I remember most are at Wildcat Park. During fifth grade, my friends and I would go on the rocker thing that goes in all four directions and we would see if we could get the other people to fall off.

I also attended STARS after school. We would go out there almost every day. Sometimes it would be a game where the leader would hide a piece of tape and we would find it. Or, we would play no-touch-gravel tag, which was our favorite.

Whatever we were playing, it was always fun and was definitely the best time of the day. I really feel bad for the children that will be coming into Wilson next year and won’t be able to experience Wildcat Park, no matter what state it is in.

Molly Lanning

Corvallis

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I attended Wilson Elementary from September of 1989 through June of 1995. I was the first class that got to play on Wildcat Park every year throughout all of elementary school. My fondest memories are swinging on the swings with my best friend, Alison.

Stella, the playground supervisor, would listen to us sing songs from Pippy Longstocking and the Little Mermaid among many others. She would always clap and laugh as we sang our hearts out. I hold all of my memories from Wilson very close to my heart, and Wildcat Park will be greatly missed.

Tera Nickell