COEUR d'ALENE - As she peered north to Front Avenue, across the unfinished parking structure, Lori Barker tried to visualize what McEuen Park used to look like.

"I'm just kind of picturing the way it was before," she said. "It's just overwhelming. It'll be impressive to see all the cars down here and all the kids playing."

Lori and her husband Jeff Barker, both of Post Falls, grew up in Coeur d'Alene. They've been around to see many of the changes that have occurred in the community through the years. Jeff recalled going to McEuen Field as a kid and watching the Christmas tree lighting ceremony.

"That was the biggest deal," he said.

The Barkers were two of several people and families who toured McEuen Park on Saturday afternoon during a sneak peek that allowed the public to get inside the construction zone to see the progress.

"Change is inevitable, and I think we'll appreciate it when it's done," Jeff said.

Visitors began trickling into the park at 2 p.m. They entered the east side and walked the mostly paved path that loops around the premises, past the bright orange, blue and green play structure and site of the future pavilion around to the trail at the base of Tubbs Hill.

Tanner Emerson walked with his his mom Jeanne Emerson of Coeur d'Alene as his 4-year-old son Tristan rode on his shoulders. Tanner was raised in Coeur d'Alene, and said he feels the McEuen Park facelift is keeping up with modern trends.

"This is a big, huge, neat area at the very front of Coeur d'Alene that you know most towns would have developed into malls and resorts, and we've chosen to make it a park," he said. "I think it's awesome. Take away the parking lot and put in a park, like the opposite of the song. Unpave paradise."

Jeanne said they've been watching the project unfold since its beginning, and as a grandma, she's excited for the new play areas.

"I think Coeur d'Alene can easily use two playgrounds of this quantity and caliber," she said. "This is absolutely awesome."

Inquisitive citizens had four hours to get a feel for the transformation, which is scheduled to be complete by spring of 2014. They asked the dozen or so information volunteers about all aspects of the project. Volunteer Dave Patzer of Coeur d'Alene stood by the parking structure and answered the questions of passersby.

"People with kids are wanting to know about the splash pad, about the play area for the kids," he said. "I've had quite a few people ask me about the amphitehater and outdoor events. Some people have been asking about the Harbor House as far as its access and what functionality it has ... they kind of want to know the layout."

Sarah Price and her mother-in-law Sue Price walked with Sarah's young daughters. Sarah, of St. Maries, said she and her daughters watched the construction through the summer as they picnicked on the grass.

"We've been eagerly awaiting the finish," Sarah said. "I loved the old playground, so it's hard to imagine how much more incredible it's going to be."

Sue said the splash pad is going to be huge for kids in the summer, but parking raised a few questions for her.

"The only other thing I was concerned about is that there's not enough parking for people who can't afford to pay," she said.

Chad Whaley of Coeur d'Alene said he thinks the project is a big improvement over what the park previously was, and that it's a good use of the land.

"We're very excited about it. It looks like a nice project," he said.

His 9-year-old son Jackson shared the sentiment.

"It's really exciting," Jackson said. "The old park used to be super small and now this one's really big."