Slattery Park playground demo underway; Main Street Landing still on track for fall opening

Parks staff told the Davenport Park and Recreation Advisory Board on March 19 that the old playground at Slattery Park would be removed by the end of the week and that installer delays caused by recent snow could push the completion a few days, with staff aiming for installation by late March or the first part of April.

Staff explained that DPR conducts demolition and rough grading for playground replacements and salvages certified safety mulch when possible to reduce installation costs and allow for larger equipment. "That saves us a lot of money in installation, so we can get a bigger, better playground," a parks staff member said.

Board members asked about inclusive-play designs and how the city balances inclusive equipment with budget constraints; staff said a fully inclusive playground at every park is not feasible but that inclusive elements can be included as components. For the Green Acres site, staff will run a targeted neighbor survey and plans to visit Truman Elementary to collect student input before presenting final recommendations at the end of March.

On the riverfront, staff said Main Street Landing remains on schedule for a fall opening and that designers are considering an interactive, educational water feature — described as a stream‑table style installation to demonstrate water flow and erosion — rather than a conventional splash pad. Staff said more detail will be provided as engineering and construction plans firm up.

The board asked staff to add Main Street Landing as a future agenda item and suggested an on‑site tour when appropriate.