By Joe Parrino, New Era Staff Writer

Hopkinsville businesses and organizations can get their likenesses painted on the kid-designed playground to be built this spring at the North Drive Complex.

Organizers of Project Playground will auction off three prime spots on the playground’s walls. Bids are sealed and start at $500.

Last month, area school children were interviewed by a New York-based playground designer. Their input led to a preliminary drawing which included a play fire station, a pirate ship, a fire pole, multiple slides and swings, a rock climbing wall, a maze, an obstacle course and an amphitheater with a dancing stage.

The project will be built in five days from April 30 through May 4.

The three highest bidders will get their storefront rendered on the playground by local artists.

Holly Hampton, one of the project’s fundraising coordinators, said one bid has already come in.

Interested businesses and organizations have until noon on March 1 to submit their sealed bids. Bids can be mailed to Project Playground, PO Box 743, Hopkinsville, KY 42241-0743 or hand delivered to the Project Playground booth at the Home Builders Association of Hopkinsville Home Show at the James E. Bruce Convention Center.

Hampton said the project has received about $15,000 in donations and pledges as well as a $65,000 grant from the city.

Hampton and her fellow members of the 2007-08 Leadership Hopkinsville class hope that the buzz surrounding the project will continue to push the project toward its $175,000 fundraising goal.

More than 220 local people attended an unveiling of the playground design at the Recreation Department on Thomas Street

“Donations are coming in daily,” Hampton said.