We all could take a lesson from Wilson Elementary School children who had no shortage of good ideas for the features they want included in the new playground structure at Wildcat Park. Among the ones that sounded like fun (before any risk management types weigh in with what’s actually feasible): “A boingy rope that you bounce on,” “a slide that goes underground” and “a big tower as tall as a building.”

Listening with rapt attention Tuesday to all of the children’s ideas was Dennis Will of Leathers & Associates, the New York playground design firm responsible for the wonderful, imaginative wooden play structure that was Wildcat Park’s defining attraction for 17 years. Will’s visit was a bit of deja vu, involving a new generation of children:

In 1987, Bob Leathers of Leathers & Associates visited Wilson students to hear what they wanted for the original play structure envisioned for the park adjacent to the school. With large infusions of volunteerism, donations and enthusiasm, a play structure was finished in 1989.

The structure was simple but fun. It had places to climb; to hide; to dream and to make friends. It had both traditional and innovative features. It had community support.

Unfortunately, wood rot claimed that structure long before its time. In January, city and school district officials reluctantly announced that the structure would have to be torn down. The liability of keeping it was too great; the cost and extensive repairs needed made saving the structure tantamount to replacing the head and handle of a hammer: you might as well get a new one.

Initially, however, it seemed that community spirit also was a loss, made evident by the loss of Wildcat Park. Although plenty of people had comments and accusations regarding the playground structure’s decay, we wondered if the community would find the will to pull together again.

As the year closes, we’re moved and gratified to see the extent to which those misgivings have been laid to rest. Will’s visit to the school children was part of a celebration honoring the accomplishments to date of those involved in the reconstruction effort.

Check out the park reconstruction project Web site at www.newwildcatpark.org, and you will see many people lining up beside coordinator Mark Hoffman (who gets an early “Roses” for his efforts.) You also will see many other opportunities to sign up and help, in a variety of ways.

For instance, only the first $100,000 of the estimated $250,000 cost of the structure is covered by school district funds. Donations of cash, materials or labor will be needed to make up the rest.

It will take five days or so to raise the structure. Remember the barn-raising scene from the movie “Witness”? We can almost hear its inspiring melody. As this year closes, it appears the future of both Wildcat Park — and community spirit — are showing signs of renewed health.

P.S. We promise to be there for the building project. Please join us.