Fort Simpson (July 11/03) - Instead of wrapping paper, an orange mesh fence surrounds a large play set at the new Wild Rose Acres playground.

But it's still like a big gift.

The fence is temporarily in place to keep eager children from playing on the equipment. But the youngsters are just raring to test it out.

"All the kids are saying to me, 'Hey, Mr. LeBlanc, when can we go in the park?" said Wild Rose Acres resident Wayne LeBlanc.

The answer is "soon." Recreation director Conan Donahue said the jungle gym will be in use this week but the swings won't be put up for another few weeks until the cement fully sets at the base of the supports.

The $25,000 playground project was a long time coming. The area where it now stands was actually cleared of trees five years ago. LeBlanc has constructed and maintained an outdoor rink nearby for many winters and said he'll continue to do that. But the rink is only a seasonal pastime.

"It was needed up there," LeBlanc said of the playground. "I take my hat off to Conan. He's done a really good job."

Mayor Tom Wilson said he's happy the project is finally a reality, acknowledging the lengthy delay.

"The money kept getting stolen for other things," he said, adding that the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs contributed a substantial share.

The equipment came from Medicine Hat, Alta and was installed last week. A parks and sports fields course brought 16 NWT recreation professionals to town and they spent part of their time assembling the parts.

"So it worked out really nicely," said Shane Thompson, recreation development officer for the Mackenzie Region.

Morgan Lirette, 6, who lives down the street, has already been eyeing the equipment. She said she plans to try out the monkey bars first.

"It's good," she said of the playground.