In 2004 the Yachats Community Planning Committee asked local children and youth for ideas in planning the Yachats Community Park. The number one suggestion was for a tree house. We all thought it would be an easy idea to implement and the Helping Hands youth group from the Yachats Youth & Family Activities Program took on the task, made a plan and a model, and started the search for an engineer to draw the final plans. The process included getting engineered plans and a building permit. Because tree houses are not standardized structures, most engineers were unwilling to participate. Finally, a firm specializing in tree houses agreed to work with us. The engineer made a trip to Yachats to inspect the trees, gave the youth a quick lesson on the issues involved, designed a plan, and shepherded it through the permit process. He did this at a drastically reduced cost. The final plan is beautiful and expensive. Thanks to participation from dedicated adult and youth volunteers, we are able to bring the cost down to a manageable amount- and now it is finally up and beautiful as ever! Join us on December 21^st at 4 PM for the grand opening of the Yachats tree house.