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Parks board delays playground announcement, debates 14-foot "ninja" ramp versus lower climbing feature
Summary
The Town of Newburgh Parks Board said it will hold a press release until a Ready Grant pre-commitment is finalized and vendor pricing is confirmed. Members questioned a proposed 14-foot ramp for a ‘ninja’ course and discussed replacing it with a lower, bouldering-style climbing feature for broader community access.
The Town of Newburgh Parks Board on Monday discussed a Ready Grant pre-commitment tied to the Lou Dennis Community Park playground and agreed to delay any public announcement until the town receives the official commitment letter and a final quote from vendor Midstate.
Board members and Park Pals representatives reviewed a draft press release but said messaging must wait for confirmed funding amounts and delivery dates. Staff and volunteers said an initial public posting used data from the original grant application and may list dates that are no longer accurate; they urged holding the town’s release until Midstate provides firm schedules and pricing.
The meeting featured extended debate over a proposed 14-foot element in a planned obstacle course, often described in discussion as a “ninja” ramp. Several participants, drawing on observations from a recent park industry conference, said that a ramp of that height risks being usable by only a small percentage of residents and might deter casual users. Alternatives discussed included an 8–10 foot bouldering-style climbing feature with color-coded handholds to accommodate multiple skill levels.
Board members emphasized safety requirements such as fall zones and surface padding that must accompany any change to vertical features. They also flagged inclusivity concerns, saying they want a feature the majority of children and teens can use rather than an attraction suited mainly to elite competitors.
A staff member said the town council previously provided funding for the playground; the transcript referenced a $500,000 contribution. One line in the record about an increased council contribution appears garbled and could not be verified; the board said the final press release will include a confirmed total when vendor pricing is received.
Next steps: the Parks Board said it will review revised drawings and final vendor quotes when Midstate submits them, then reconvene the playground committee to make a recommendation before the town issues any formal announcement.
