WALLOWA — The grand opening of the new bicycle playground in Wallowa is to be held on schedule Saturday, Aug. 27 at 207 W. Second St., behind the Wallowa Schools, despite the hailstorm that pummeled the town, according to Ron Pickens of Building Healthy Families.

The event, which is to run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., will feature guest motivational speaker Bobby Jones. Food will be available, as hamburgers and hot dogs are grilled and vouchers are offered for snow cones, Pickens said Aug. 17.

Eight mountain bicycles and 10 skateboards will be raffled throughout the day, he said.

The hailstorm did minimal damage to the tin roof on the picnic shelter at the park, but nothing significant, Pickens said.

“I’m thankful it didn’t set back the grand opening,” he said. “Any damage was kind of small scale in the picture of what happened here that week.

“We know that the benefits of physical activity for children, especially in underserved areas like Wallowa, can contribute to better mental health, individual empowerment and a more inclusive community,” Pickens said.

He was the driving force not only for the Wallowa project, but also last summer’s refurbishment of the skate park in Enterprise.

He said there’s still a bit of work to be done, as kids will be painting a portable toilet donated by Rahn Disposal and building a fence Aug. 19.

“I just had a kid sanding and staining some timber,” he said.

Pickens said his personal experience shows the high value such a project can mean for kids.

“I experienced this firsthand for myself as a child, when I found a positive outlet in recreational sports like biking and skateboarding,” he said. “That’s one reason I was so passionate about this project. I can’t wait to see all the good things it will bring to the community, and am so thankful for all the support we’ve received to make it possible.”

Students from Wallowa County were engaged in the entire process of building the park, from conducting pre-construction community surveys to grassroots fundraising and from speaking at City Council meetings to designing and constructing the park itself, Pickens said. A youth art contest was held to select the new logo for the park. The park was built on a lot occupied by an unused tennis court on Wallowa School District lands.

The approximately $270,000-project was paid for with donations from a wide variety of groups and individuals, including the Roundhouse Foundation, the Ford Family Foundation, the Autzen Foundation and the Oregon Community Foundation-Trail Blazers Foundation Fund.

Fundraisers included a drawing for barbecue, a silent auction, a raffle for time on the Minam River and selling hats and T-shirts.

“We were so impressed with this project and the leadership that the young people of Wallowa County showed to make it happen,” said Erin Borla, executive director of the Roundhouse Foundation. “Building Healthy Families inspired their students and supported the learning of employable skills while leading this project through all phases: planning, design, fundraising and assisting with the construction. This local project also helps to make recreation opportunities accessible for families in this rural county while thinking creatively about a unique space in their community.”