An iconic Tri-City structure is going away starting Friday September 14th, to be replaced by something more modern, and likely safer.

While many applaud the building of a 'new' Playground of Dreams, many say they will miss the iconic largely wooden structure.

First opened in 1999, the playground located just East of the main entrance to the park has survived a fire in 2004 that was arson. But now it's going to be closed until November for the first phase of the newer structure. The second and final phase will be built in Spring 2019.

City of Kennewick officials say they hired a structural engineer to do a thorough examination of the facility, and came to the conclusion the most cost effective solution was to replace it. Even refurbishing the structure would have only prolonged the inevitable. The city would have had to put considerable funding into it, even just to keep it safe.

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