Corvallis School District officials have announced that the district is organizing a goodbye event for Wildcat Park.

“As soon as the weather lifts, we’d like to give the community the opportunity to say goodbye to this much-loved park,” said Wilson Elementary School Principal Gerry Kosanovic.

Officials are planning the event that could include the opportunity for children and families to have their pictures taken in the park. Other ideas include asking people to write about their memories of playing in the park to make a memory book.

The district is also planning a community meeting to share information about the park, and to talk with community members about ideas for the future of the park. Fred Wright, district facilities director, said he would organize a meeting for a group of people including district and city staff, and several of the original park organizers.

Anyone who is interested in donating time, resources or money toward the rebuilding the park, or who would like to share their thinking about the future of the park are invited contact Jennifer Schroeder at Jennifer.Schroeder@corvallis.k12.or.us or 757-5811.

Wildcat Park is owned by the school district and receives operational support from the city for sanitary services and site inspections. A recent playground audit identified significant safety issues, so the park closed on Jan. 6.

The park was built as a community project in 1989, and is designated as a mini-park facility in the city’s 2000 Park and Recreation Facilities Plan.