By LESLIE DIETRICH
The city of Weldon Spring wants to find quality playground options for children ages 2 through 12. However, according to Mitchell Jordan, the city’s community relations coordinator, that project is no small task. Specifically, the city is looking to renovate the playground located beside Weldon Spring City Hall. Two playground structures currently exist on the lot; however, the older structure is not quite up to the city’s standards.
“The structure was donated to the city many years ago, it served us well, but it is time to put in something new that will excite visitors of all ages” Jordan said.
Last year, the city established a resident filled Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. One of its recent goals is to replace the dated structure with one that entertains and challenges children while also providing them with a safe space to play. Jordan said doing so is a fairly difficult process that involves a lot of planning and researching potential playground suppliers/vendors.
“The parks and recreation advisory committee needed to determine a few aspects of what the new equipment would be,” Jordan said. “They considered age-range, style/theme, play-value, safety and price.” The committee settled on a rope structure with nature elements.
The new equipment will serve children ages 2-12 with a price point of around $75,000. After presentations from four vendors, the committee recommended, on April 8, Kansas Designer, ABCreative.
“Expect to see a lot of climbing features and ropes, and a few surprises as well,” Jordan predicted.
Funding for this project is allocated from the Parks and Facilities budget. At the city’s regular Board of Aldermen meeting on April 9, the board accepted the committee’s recommendation to move forward. The city is currently seeking bids for the demolition and removal of the dated play structure.
According to Jordan, removal will happen as soon as possible, with construction anticipated to begin during mid-July.
