What happened to the 2023 Outreach Grant?
In 2023, the Houston Lake City Park playground was earmarked for improvement through the Platte County Outreach Grant. The full scope of the 2023 proposal was to add new rubber mulch to the play area that no longer provided the recommended amount of padding.
As the project moved closer to implementation, we encountered an uncomfortable reality:
Adding rubber mulch would not solve the problems with the park’s playground.
Unforeseen challenges included erosion and an aging play structure complicating what had been a simple plan.
- Over the years since the playground was originally installed, erosion has created a significant variance between the low and the high side of the natural incline while also cutting a channel through the play area
- The play structure’s connection to the surface has become significantly offset from the original profile, portions designed to sit at ground level now markedly above
- The 5-12-year-old play structure installed in 2005 is nearing end-of-life
Proposed remediation steps for addressing the issues on the playground as it existed grew to include:
- Removing the rubber mulch
- Grading the play area
- Installing new barrier sheeting
- Redirecting stormwater
- Replacing the rubber mulch, and
- Adding a retaining wall to keep it from migrating downhill again
The further the investigation went, the more apparent it became that addressing the issues in an area populated with equipment was unlikely to yield the desired return on investment.
In an additional unfortunate circumstance, the Board of Aldermen was unable to get a discussion on the matter added to the City Council meeting agenda until after the 2024 grant deadline had passed. In a progressive move, a board member stepped in, writing a new grant for 2024, paving the way for a more stable future for our playground.
A New Plan for 2024 and Beyond
To ensure a lasting solution, a phased approach is proposed to establish the playground in open areas of the park, eliminating the added complication and expense of addressing a populated playground. This strategy negates the entire list of remediation steps. When the playground was originally installed with a single play structure supporting 5-to-12-year-olds, the plan was to follow up with a preschool play area at some point in the future. This plan allows the addition of that specialized area in 2024.
What to Expect
- 2024: Installation of a new play area for 2-5-year-olds and another for the swings in unencumbered areas of the park, providing for surface preparation unrestricted by existing structures
- 2024: Minimal maintenance on the old play structure and its enclosure, including redistributing the existing rubber mulch from the low side to the high, temporarily restoring the required padding in the short-term
- Future: Removal of the existing 5-12-year-old play structure and its enclosure when reaches end-of-life, leaving the picnic area in position
- Future: Expand the new tots and swings enclosure to support a fully accessible replacement play structure for 5-12-year-olds
Features of the New Play Areas
Adding bucket seats expands this 2 Bay Arch Swing to support both 2-5 and 6-12-year-olds in a 32′ x 36′ rubber mulch-filled safety zone.
The new preschool playground is tailored to meet the developmental needs and safety requirements of young children, providing age-appropriate equipment and features that encourage exploration, imagination, and physical activity for toddlers and preschoolers. This area will feature a Rockwell Teeter Duo and a Bumbling Betsy Fun Bounce in a 26 x 19 safety zone.
Funding
The estimated cost for phase one of the project is $20,000 with the City committing $4,000 (20%). After accounting for the 2023 allocation of $1024, the estimate for the 2024 commitment stands at $2976. This is the initial quote from a single supplier obtained in a very short amount of time. There is an expectation that we will be able to shave this amount down by utilizing a local vendor for the rubber mulch installation.
Your Support Matters
Public parks serve as vital communal areas, fostering a sense of togetherness and shared experiences. The triumph of this project hinges on your valuable support. Your endorsement has the power to mold the future experiences and well-being of the upcoming generation of Houston Lake children.
Opinion Poll
Please let your representatives know that this is an effort you support by participating in the Playground Grant Opinion Poll. Be a part of a community that values and invests in maintaining a vibrant playground for our children. Together, we can create a lasting and enriching space for our community.