Columbus council OKs $431,211 accessible playground at Pawnee Park with Land and Water Conservation Fund support

The Columbus City Council on Aug. 4, 2025 approved a $431,211 quote from Creative Sites LLC to install new playground equipment at Pawnee Park, a project staff said will be the city’s first fully accessible playground surfacing.

City staff described the project as a single consolidated play area adjacent to the east shelter at Pawnee Park and said poured-in-place surfacing will make the site navigable for children using wheelchairs or mobility aids. Staff also told council the project is funded by a 50/50 grant split between the city and the Land and Water Conservation Fund; federal release of awarded grant funds was cited as the reason staff could proceed with procurement.

Betsy, a city staff member handling parks items, described the scope: "It's gonna be an all accessible, playground, all inclusive accessible. So, it'll be the first one in our park system that has accessible surfacing and to be completely inclusive." Council members asked whether the equipment would be spread across separate locations; staff replied the new equipment will be installed in a single consolidated area.

Council approved the quote by voice vote. Staff said the city has had interest from other communities to receive the old equipment; disposition of existing equipment was listed as "to be determined." The motion to accept the quote was made and seconded during the meeting; the transcript records the vote as "motion passes."

Why it matters: The project expands accessibility in the city park system and uses a substantial grant-supported investment to add inclusive surfacing and equipment. The funding source and the accessibility features were discussed on the record, and parks staff will manage procurement and installation.