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Pryor Creek board says aging jungle gym unsafe, plans replacement in next budget
Summary
Park staff asked the Pryor Creek Park Board to remove an old jungle gym that staff declared unsafe and to include a replacement in next year’s budget; board discussed skate-park crowding, restroom vandalism and minor site improvements but took no formal vote on removal.
Park staff told the Pryor Creek Park Board that an older jungle gym in a neighborhood park is unsafe and should be removed, with a replacement requested in next year’s budget. Park staff said the playground has deteriorated, parts are no longer manufactured and users have been seen attempting to tear at the equipment.
The issue arose during the board’s parks report, when Frank (parks staff member) described ongoing maintenance work across the system and detailed recent problems at several facilities. He said crews have been repairing plumbing at drinking fountains, removing a split tree between the pond and the skate park, and addressing repeated restroom misuse. “They’re having to redo a bunch of the plumbing,” Frank said of work on older steel valves. He also described people bedding down in restrooms, apparently using clothing from donation bins, and vandalism and heavy use at the skateboard area.
On the playground unit, Frank said crews have roped off the structure and recommended declaring it unsafe: “That’s my plan. I’d like to declare it unsafe. Let’s go ahead and take the jungle gym out and then… put a whole new toy,” he said, adding he would seek funding in next year’s budget for a modern replacement, potentially with rubberized surfacing.
Board members discussed logistics and safety. One member asked whether the board needed a formal vote to remove the equipment; staff replied removal could proceed when the structure is officially declared unsafe, but the item was not on the meeting agenda and the board did not take a formal vote. The board discussed temporary measures such as roping the area and adding signage.
The parks report also covered skate-park use and minor capital work: staff said they plan shade structures near the skate area, a walk-through gate on the east fence, and new picnic seating. Board members said they will prioritize inclusion of playground replacement and ADA considerations in next year’s capital budget. No binding direction to purchase or install a replacement was taken at the meeting.
