Playground closes for next round of improvements
The multi-sensory playground at Lacy Park is going to be closed for a few weeks.
But it’s for a good reason — one that makes the playground accessible to even more children in our community.
City of Warren Department of Public Works crews started Thursday to remove all of the wood chips on the playground. That will pave the way for construction, expected to start next week, of a rubberized surface.
Adan Meneo with the Rotary Club, one of the playground’s prime advocates, said the surface was supposed to cost $80,000 but rose due to supply chain issues to just over $100,000.
The funding came together quite quickly.
“Fortunately, the Warren community is amazing, and with supporters like the Betts Foundation, Community Foundation of Warren, DeFrees Family Memorial Fund, Edith L. Trees Fund, the Huya Family, Northwest Bank, Sokolski Family Foundation, URC, and Pleasant Community Church, Rotary was quickly able to raise over $60,000 in additional funds so the improvements could move forward,” Meneo said.
He said Rotary also appreciates the support of the Warren County Development Association, City of Warren and the county commissioners throughout the stages of the project.
“We are beyond grateful for the continued generosity and support!”
Joe Reinke, the city’s Public Works Superintendent said the playground will be closed for a couple weeks both for construction and then to allow the surface to cure.
He said orange snow fence will be placed around the playground and he asked people to not try to jump it.
Just when the playground will be back in business isn’t clear.
“As with any outdoor project there can be some elements out of our control,” Meneo said. “The hope is that the weather will cooperate and there will be no unforeseen hiccups.”
That would place a reopening in mid-to-late October.
“In the meantime,” he said, “we ask that parents remind their children to please avoid the area.”
By any measure, this constitutes a short-term loss for a long-term gain.
“When Rotary first envisioned the multi-sensory playground project, our number one aim was to create a safe, all-inclusive environment for children and families of all interests and abilities to enjoy,” Meneo explained.
“By installing a more stable rubberized surface we are further meeting that goal by ensuring that those with any type of mobility limitation, be it a child in a wheelchair (or) with leg braces or crutches, or their parents (and) grandparents who just don’t get around like once did, can have a safe and pleasant experience at the park.”