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Kearney parks board reports 838 bags of trash; plans playground resurfacing and safety repairs
Summary
At its Aug. 20 meeting the City of Kearney Park and Tree Board reviewed a quarterly metric showing crews removed 838 bags/barrels of trash and approved plans to resurface playgrounds (Lions and Mac Porter) beginning Sept. 3. Manufacturer PlayCraft sent free brackets to fix an entanglement hazard; installation costs are under negotiation.
The City of Kearney Park and Tree Board on Aug. 20 heard that crews removed a combined total of 838 bags or barrels of trash from Mac Porter, Jesse James and Lions parks during the first fiscal quarter (April–June), and that playground surfacing work will begin the week of Sept. 3.
The report came during routine park-system updates delivered by the board chair. "We have dumped in Mac Porter Park, Jesse James, and Lyons Park a combined total of 838 bags of trash or barrels," the chair said, noting the department will track these metrics quarterly going forward.
The board was briefed on a surfacing plan that will remove existing playground mulch at Lions Park; reusable material will be taken to Jesse James Park and unusable material sent to the city compost site. Staff said contractors will replace timber borders at multiple playgrounds with concrete borders to create level surfaces that are easier to navigate for people with mobility limitations.
Playground colors were selected: a 50/50 light-blue-and-black rubber mix at Lions Park and a darker brown-and-black rubber at Mac Porter, staff said. The Mac Porter surfacing project has been scheduled to begin Sept. 3, according to the update.
Board members also discussed equipment safety repairs. Staff reported that PlayCraft, the playground manufacturer, sent new support brackets at no charge to reduce an "entanglement hazard" where clothing could catch on tube supports. "PlayCraft agreed to send us new brackets, free of charge, and we are currently working out a deal to get them installed," Ryan (parks staff) said. An independent inspector from Playforce, Ben Bowden, urged the manufacturer to return and install the parts, staff said.
Installation costs for the new brackets have not been finalized. The chair said some capital outlay funds are available and that prior similar repairs required about $2,500 for installation, but staff emphasized the city will not reopen blocked equipment until installation and safety verification are complete.
The board did not take formal action beyond receiving the updates; staff said they will proceed with surfacing on the contractor's current schedule and report back to the board about installation arrangements and costs.
Next steps: surfacing at Lions and Mac Porter is scheduled to begin the week of Sept. 3; staff will coordinate install timing, safety verification, and any capital outlay requests.
