Parks staff outlines $1.4 million Winter Park playground redevelopment; PFAS question pending

Parks and Recreation staff presented a concept to substantially redevelop Winter Park—s playground on July 17, estimating an installation cost of about $1.4 million for new play structures, ADA-compliant rubberized surfacing, swings, climbing features and expanded parking and a basketball court. Charlie said the existing playground is roughly 22 years old and showing structural failures that warrant full replacement. The proposed plan would double the playground footprint, keep existing trees as shade elements, add shade structures and seating for adults, reinstall a warning track and add a basketball court. The rubberized surfacing was presented as the ADA-accessible option and industry standard for safety; staff said the supplier response about PFAS content is pending and that Charlie will report back once vendors reply. Commissioners discussed limiting parking expansion to a modest increase (six to ten additional spaces) to preserve green space and emphasized neighborhood access for walking and biking. Charlie said any capital request would go through the town capital program (CAPCOM/FINCOM) and then town meeting; he asked commissioners to be prepared to support the item at hearings. No vote was taken; staff presented the concept and cost estimate and will advance planning and vendor questions. Charlie said the project would be a multi-year capital project and that the town's attention to playground accessibility, modern safety spacing and durable materials aims to provide at least 20 years of use. The commission asked staff to return with PFAS information for the rubberized surfacing and more detailed cost breakdowns during the capital-review process.