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Council approves $172,546 purchase for Shattuck Park ninja‑warrior playground
Summary
The Hutchinson City Council voted to approve purchasing and installing a ninja‑warrior–style playground for Shattuck Park in partnership with the Hutchinson Boys and Girls Club, with the city committing $172,546 after a manufacturer discount and local fundraising covered the balance.
The Hutchinson City Council on June 3 approved the purchase and installation of a new playground at Shattuck Park, awarding a contract to Greenfields Outdoor Fitness for a net city payment of $172,546 after a manufacturer discount and community fundraising.
City officials and Boys and Girls Club leaders said the new equipment replaces aging, damaged pieces and will be part of a multi‑phase plan to improve the park. Justin Combs, director of parks and facilities, told council the equipment’s retail value was about $199,000, shipping and supervised installation raised the total to roughly $212,004.56, and a $40,000 manufacturer discount plus Boys and Girls Club fundraising reduced the city’s portion to $172,546.
The project was selected with input from Boys and Girls Club members. Lance Patterson, CEO of the Hutchinson Boys and Girls Club, said members helped pick the ninja‑warrior design. Young club members who spoke at council described safety problems with the existing equipment and said they favored the proposed course because it would be more challenging and safer.
Combs said the city will keep the existing ADA‑compliant platform on the site and remove older, deteriorated components; the new installation will include professional supervision for roughly three days while city staff, volunteers and Boys and Girls Club staff help assemble the equipment to save costs and build community ownership. Delivery was projected at about six weeks, with installation later this fall depending on shipping and scheduling.
Council discussion touched on shipping costs, warranty implications of self‑installation, drainage and surface materials. Combs said a drainage system will be installed under the playground and that the existing pour‑in‑place surfacing under portions of the structure will be retained. Council also agreed the fence around the play area will be removed to make the playground feel open and that additional signage will clarify public access.
The council motion to approve the purchase and installation, amended on the floor to the $172,546 corrected amount, passed unanimously: Richardson — yes; Garza — yes; Fast — yes; Meggers — yes; Goss — yes.
The Parks Department and the Boys and Girls Club described the playground as Phase 1 of a four‑phase master plan that could add resurfaced courts, pickleball, athletic fields and a walking loop along Cow Creek in future phases. Patterson said the club has already raised roughly $100,000 toward the project and will continue fundraising for later phases. Combs said the city will sign a contract with Greenfields and the Boys and Girls Club will reimburse the city for their portion.
