For those who were interested in “the case of the missing monkey bars” at Wallingford Playfield, Mandy sent in this update from Seattle Parks and Recreation. Plus, a bonus update on the “slippery slope” that we featured earlier in the fall. We’ll try to keep in touch with the Parks Department and provide additional updates as winter turns to spring. Thanks for this info Mandy!
In response to Mandy’s email, Seattle Parks and Recreation says…
The climbing arch was removed because, during a regular playground inspection, Parks staff discovered that the wooden footings were rotten and posed a safety hazard. They removed the arch immediately. Parks has been working to get an estimate from the vendor on the cost of replacing it and verify whether it can be replaced under warranty or not. If not, the cost of replacement is about $8,000. Given the substantial reductions in Parks’ 2009 and 2010 budgets, Parks will need to evaluate whether we can replace the equipment next year.
In response to your concern about a falling hazard near the play area, today the grounds crew added three yards of sand to the play area and cleaned the play surfaces. It is our hope that these actions will solve the problem of falls.
Arch Climber: Parks emailed me Friday that a replacement arch climber is on order and will be installed sometime after the first of the year.
Great news about the extra sand. Perhaps we can return to keeping a broom nearby during the higher use season to provide a fun activity for parents or kids to pass the time and keep the sand off the play surface at the same time 🙂
One other annual activity included “fluffing” of the wood chips, which tend to naturally compact during the winter rains. Parks occasionally tops them off, but budget constraints limit how often they can be completely replaced. Another volunteer “opportunity”!
Greg Flood
Friends of Wallingford Playfield
Parks department has to see if they can come up with 8grand to replace a main part of a kids playground, and yet they can come up with one million dollars to make two tennis courts where there already were tennis courts. Guess we see who the city wants to have their playtime.
Wow – that’s interesting. How did you come across that, Kaleb? Inquiring minds want to know 🙂