On July 16, 2005 vandals destroyed this tube slide in Staring Lake Park. Sometime during that night, they poured gasoline, or some kind of flamable liquid, down the slide and then lit it on fire. The slide, which had been one of our most popular playground attractions in Eden Prairie since 1985, burned and melted away.
That's the before picture up above and to the left is the after picture. I understand that it was only a big plastic tube, but it was a source of joy and fun to the kids of this town for many years. It was a shame to have it destroyed by vandals.
But then a young Eden Prairie lad named Tucker Zangs stood up and decided to go do something about the loss of his favorite slide. He started a fund raising campaign to buy a new slide for the park. That's him with the big novelty check in the photo to the left surrounded by (L-R) me, Mayor Tyra-Lukens and Parks & Recreation Director Bob Lmabert. Tucker presented us with a check for over $1,500 at our Council meeting this week to help fund a replacement slide.
Well, Tucker, that's just what we're going to do. We're going to buy a new slide for Staring Lake Park. It's going to be big and fast, just like the old one. It won't be orange like the old one, but it's going to be a lot of fun. And best of all, Tucker is going to get the first official slide down the new slide in recognition of his community spirit at the slide dedication ceremony this summer.
Thanks Tucker.
