8A Polk County Itemizer-Observer • September 6, 2017
Polk County News
Gala Park renovations back on track
Weather, contractor delays postponed project progress over the summer months, city says
By Jolene Guzman
The Itemizer-Observer
DALLAS — Renovations
at Gala Park, at the corner of
Uglow Avenue and Hankel
Street, are back on track
after weather and contractor
delays postponed the proj-
ect over the summer.
The city announced on
Facebook and Twitter that
work had resumed last
week.
“Finally, some progress on
Gala Park! Form boards are
being placed for the con-
crete curbing. Thanks,
everyone for your patience
during this improvement
project,” the post read.
Parks Supervisor Eric Tot-
ten said once finished, it will
have new play structures, in-
cluding the installation of a
swing set, climbing net and
something called a “spin-
ning supernova.”
A new pavilion, built with
donated labor, is also part of
the plans.
New sprinklers were in-
stalled last week and bark
will be placed this week to
finish the playground.
“I would say in the next 15
days, we will be playing on
the play equipment,” Totten
said Friday.
That would already be the
case, but Mother Nature and
a busy building season con-
spired against an earlier
completion, Totten said.
“At the beginning of the
season, it was way too wet,”
Totten said.
In spite of challenging a
dry streak, Polk County is
still more than 11 inches of
precipitation ahead of aver-
age because of early rain
JOLENE GUZMAN/ Itemizer-Observer
JOLENE GUZMAN/ Itemizer-Observer
Concrete pavers dry Friday afternoon at Gala Park in Dal-
las. Improvements at the park resumed last week.
The playground at Gala Park should be fully ready for use around mid-September. Work
stalled because a contractor couldn’t complete the project.
and snow.
Then, a contractor who
was slated to install pavers
around the playground
backed out of the project.
This summer has had
more than enough work to
go around, so it has been
difficult to find contractors
with time to add jobs or to
complete them on schedule.
Totten said the city expe-
rienced delays on another
park development, the new
pickleball courts, for the
same reason.
Work stoppage left the
park with piles of dirt and
temporary ditches dug for
concrete pavers.
Soon that will all be gone,
Totten said. Last week, the
city hired another contrac-
tor to complete concrete
work around the play-
ground.
“We actually poured con-
crete this morning,” he said
on Friday.
JOLENE GUZMAN/Itemizer-Observer
Mounds of dirt and ditches at Gala Park will disappear soon as work finishes within two weeks.
It’s fall, when the vines are heavy with ripening grapes. Vintners are pay-
ing careful attention to the weather and to the fruit, ready to harvest as
soon as they’re ready.
Meanwhile Left Coast Cellars wine club members are gearing up to re-
ceive their twice-yearly shipment of selected vintages — some limited edi-
tions. Wine club members get special access to wineries, including library
wine tastings and special club-only bottlings.
To sign up, one commits to purchasing two cases of wine a year
and receives free wine tastings for themselves and a few
guests, 20 percent off all wine, and 15 percent
off logoed items in the tasting room, as
well as discounted special promotions.
Founders — members of the wine club
— also are invited to complimentary
monthly barrel tastings at Left Coast.
Once you’ve experienced the vari-
ety and quality of wine at Left Coast,
joining the club is a great way to sup-
port your favorite vineyard owner
and winemaker — not to mention
guaranteeing a well-stocked wine
supply.
The holidays are around the corner,
and having a good supply of local
wine is important for guests or to take
as a gift to a host.
If you’re not ready to jump in and sign up for the club, stop by for tast-
ings. Left Coast is open year-round, seven days a week, noon to 5 p.m. and
always has something great to offer guests. This time of year, watch for the
vineyard to change colors with the seasons, or enjoy the crisp air while sip-
ping a sparkling varietal.
Join us for High Street Band
at Legacy Estate Vineyard on Sept. 15th!
Concert doors open at 6 pm. Concert from 7 pm – 9 pm.
CUBANISIMO VINEYARDS
1754 Best Road NW, Salem, OR 97304
503-588-1763 • vino@cubanisimovineyards.com
Thank you to these sponsors. Please make it a point to visit these wineries while exploring our great region.