Community gathers to bring back the rocket ship

Suzie Harrison

To build another rocket ship in Bluebird Park has been a goal for

many in the city since the previous one met its demise two years ago

and had to be removed. The “Rock-it for the Rocket!” benefit concert

will take place on Sunday to help raise funds to replace it. The

event will be at Tivoli Too! from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and includes live

music by Laguna’s own “Blues Offenders,” a silent auction, raffle

prizes, kids activities and an outdoor barbecue.

City Treasurer Laura Parisi said that if the benefit is a success,

they might be able to make their goal or be pretty close to

purchasing the new one.

Community Service Director Pat Barry at the city said the idea

came from Laguna parent Sonia Campbell.

“She strongly wanted to put the rocket ship back into the park,”

Barry said.

Campbell talked to fellow parents and they decided it was a

worthwhile cause.

“She has done the mainstay, the fundraising event and band,” Barry

said. “It wouldn’t be happening without her.”

Barry explained that the situation with the rocket is that the

city is matching funds for the rocket up to $55,000. He said that

approximate numbers show that the Montage has donated about $20,000

and the public has donated about $7,000 including some of those funds

from Laguna schools.

“There’s still about $30,000 to be raised,” Barry said.

He said the manufacturer needs a 75-day lead-time to build it.

“Realistically we’re looking at an end of summer, early fall

installation,” Barry said.

The reason the old rocket ship was removed was that it was

antiquated and didn’t meet today’s safety standards.

“The original rocket ship was put in the mid to late 60s,” Barry

said. “It was removed in mid 2002. The reason is that it doesn’t meet

today’s playground safety standard or handicap accessibility

standards.

“State laws have changed and there is a limited time for people to

keep parks up to code,” Barry said.

The new rocket ship is being handled through the city’s

engineering department, which was out looking at the equipment at

Bluebird Park. “The proposal[s] in part was to replace the rocket

ship,” Barry said. “A particular manufacturer came through, a lot of

it is custom made, not off the shelf.”

He said it includes the original bid package for the park.

“The city ran out of funds on other improvements to the park,”

Barry said. “The original goal was to put it in with the other things

that were required to be up to code.”

Mayor Cheryl Kinsman reiterated the fact that the city will be

matching every dollar raised at the fundraiser and encourages the

community to attend.

“”Everything was done by Sonia and I want to congratulate her for

all the work she’s done, she and others in the community rallied to

the cause,” Barry said.

Tivoli Too! is at 777 Laguna Canyon Road. Tickets are $35

pre-paid for adults and $40 at the door. Kids tickets are $15. Price

includes the barbecue and parking is free. For information call Sonia

Campbell at (944)494-0514 or e-mail cmgirl@cox.net.

To make a contribution, send checks made payable to the city of

Laguna Beach (include the Bluebird Park Rocket Ship Fund on the memo

line) and mail to city of Laguna Beach, Bluebird Park Rocket Ship

Fund, 505 Forest Ave., Laguna Beach, CA 92651.