Cimarron Electric Cooperative announced last week it will sponsor the climbing rocks to be installed at Newfield Community Park.

Cimarron’s Chief Marketing Officer Jeff Hyatt announced the gift in a presentation that included other Cimarron administrators and members of Kingfisher Trails Inc. (See related photo on Page 1).

The rocks are actually an artificial installation to be created onsite by Donnie Price, owner of ADC Hardscapes of Oklahoma City and will be a primary focus of the playground.

Expected to measure 19 feet long by eight feet tall, the rocks are based on a model created by local sculptor and project manager John Gooden, which is itself inspired by a similar installation in Telluride, Colo.

“The rocks will have handholds like those on more traditional climbing walls,” Gooden said.

“The installation will also allow for both an easier route to the top and a more challenging climb for those intrepid climbers who wish a challenge.”

The entire installation will be surrounded by a soft play surface similar to the material surrounding the Playground of Dreams playground in Kingfisher Park, Gooden said.

Price, a firefighter who began creating grottos, including installations at the Oklahoma City Zoo, came highly recommended by a supplier that Gooden uses in his sculpting work, Gooden said.

He expects to begin the footings within the next month and the surrounding curbs and sidewalks are scheduled for a bid opening on April 7, just prior to the April 11 meeting of the Kingfisher City Commission.

“Our goal is to time creation of the rocks and the pouring of the surrounding concrete in the playground so as to leave little time where they are not surrounded by the play surface and ready for kids,” said Gooden.