COVINGTON, Ind. (WCIA) -- It's a big milestone for community leaders who've been trying to renovate their park.

Hundreds descended on the Covington City Park for a groundbreaking celebration. It's kicking off a $700,000 overhaul, two and a half years in the making.

As renovations on the park begin, people who helped make it all happen say they can't wait.

"I think the community is really excited, at first it was just a vision that was a lot of money."

Now for Amanda Strawser and hundreds of people living in Covington, that dream is starting to take shape.

"We didn't really know how long it would take but now it's finally here."

Strawser is on the park board, and is the founder of "Friends of the Covington City Park". She's just one piece of the puzzle in the process of making the park a reality.

"Kids came together and they built and they drew and they colored their dream playground."

Some of those ideas will be incorporated into the final design, like a treehouse-like structure that's will double as a sledding hill during the winter.

From there, the adults took charge. They raised about $700,000, which includes a $200,000 grant from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

It's a big deal for Valerie White and her daughter Ashlee Cadman. They were both born and raised in town.

"I played on the original playground equipment that was just auctioned off."

White says she's glad future generations, and her grandchildren, will get to use the new playground.

Strawser says they hope the weather will cooperate so they can hold a park dedication by labor day weekend. She says the park will have something for all ages to enjoy.

Source: Illinois Homepage, illinoishomepage.net