Hudson council approves Oak Grove site for inclusive playground, agrees to cover funding gap

Hudson City Council voted 6–1 on May 20, 2025, to locate the Hudson Inclusive Playground at Oak Grove and directed the city manager to prepare legislation to cover any funding shortfall from the city’s general fund.

The decision follows a 4–1 recommendation from the Park Board and more than two hours of public comment and staff briefing about site trade‑offs, funding sources and a tight state grant deadline. Council President Foster cast a supporting vote; Councilor Getz voted no.

Why it matters: The playground is tied to multiple revenue sources that must be used by state deadline June 30, 2026. Park Board and HIP (Hudson Inclusive Playground) organizers said moving quickly is necessary to keep $680,000 in state grant funds and other committed money for the project.

Council and park board members, the HIP team and city staff described the funding picture in detail at the meeting. City Manager Tom Sheridan said the city has budgeted $400,000 for the project this year and confirmed the state grant of $680,000 is a deadline‑driven source that must be spent by June 30, 2026. HIP representatives said the group had raised about $405,000 (reported later as $411,000 during the meeting) and that…