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Teacher urges repairs to aging Scramble Alley playground; city discusses mulch, repair vs replacement
Summary
An art teacher flagged safety and upkeep concerns at Scramble Alley; Public Works estimated mulch at $2,400 and full repair or replacement at $30,000–$40,000, and commissioners discussed fundraising and grant searches.
Jenny Hope, an art teacher at Soddy‑Daisy High School, told the commission the Scramble Alley playground needs attention and said mulch should be added to improve safety. Public Works Director Steve Grant estimated two loads of mulch would cost roughly $2,400 and said the playground — about 26–27 years old — may need substantial work: he estimated full repair or replacement could cost about $30,000 to $40,000.
Hope offered to organize fundraising if money is an issue. Commissioner Shipley suggested a smaller playground footprint and adding a splash pad; Hope also suggested adding a walking path. City Manager Johnson said the playground issue would be discussed in upcoming workshops and noted the city cannot apply for another grant until the current grant is closed, a limitation flagged by staff when Commissioner Shipley urged searching for grant funding.
Public Works Director Grant said some lumber was replaced four years ago and now looks worse than the original, and he emphasized the board will need to decide whether to repair the existing structure or replace it entirely. Staff were asked to research options and potential funding sources and to schedule the matter for further discussion in a budget workshop.
