Huber Heights staff recommend new playground at Cottonwood Park to replace aged ball fields

Huber Heights — City staff presented a proposed playground replacement for Cottonwood Park and recommended contracting Midstates Recreation using a SourceWell cooperative contract. The work would replace an overgrown ball‑field area with a community‑scale playground and artificial turf surfacing designed for preschool‑age users and improved accessibility.

Parks staff said the proposed design introduces new play elements not currently in the city’s inventory, including artificial mounds beneath turf, shade structures with seating, and an inclusive access path connecting to existing sidewalks. The design also retains the shelter and restrooms that are currently on site. Staff noted the park’s proximity to a preschool and local parent groups as primary drivers of demand for preschool‑oriented features.

Councilmembers raised pedestrian safety at the park entrance across Brant Pike from the nearby Oaks development; staff said a crosswalk with solar flashing lights was on the public-works radar and would be coordinated with paving plans. Staff also discussed picnic shelter retention, bench placement, and the removal of ball-field equipment (base pegs/backstops) in prior work. A question about the timing for repairing an existing playground that had winter damage at another site generated an update that subcontractors were being scheduled and staff expected the other playground to reopen safely within roughly two weeks.

Staff asked council to place the playground contract on the Monday agenda for final award.