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Board trims Memorial Park playground, prioritizes non-metal benches and removable shade
Summary
Engineers presented revised Memorial Park plans that reduce the playground footprint to cut costs; the advisory board voted to reduce surfacing and reallocate funds to non-metal benches and to pursue a removable shade structure and mark space for a future second shade.
The Lower Makefield Park & Recreation Advisory Board reviewed a revised Memorial Park plan in April 2026 and approved a set of changes aimed at controlling a roughly $10,000 budget overrun while adding user-focused features.
Carol Engineering representative Will said the current option places the playground footprint at about 5,800 square feet (reduced from an earlier roughly 7,800–8,000 square-foot concept) and that surfacing is the single largest cost item. Will told the board the current option was about $10,000 over budget but that the project includes a 3% contingency buffer (about $27,000).
Board members identified two priorities: non-metal benches with backs under shade and at least one shade structure to increase sun protection. Will reported a vendor estimate for a 14-by-14 fabric shade structure plus installation in the mid-to-high $15,000 range (vendor line-item shown separately on the estimate); he also said many shade-grant programs (such as the American Academy of Dermatology grant discussed earlier) would not fund shade until a one-year sun-safety program was in place.
To meet the board’s direction, staff proposed modest cost reductions (reduce surfacing area by roughly 300–500 sq ft, substitute a smaller spinner or drop one equipment item) as options to net the needed savings. The advisory board voted to reduce the surfacing area to free funds for non-metal benches with backs, directed staff to investigate a removable shade canopy option, and asked the consultant to show a reserved location for a second future shade structure in design drawings.
Why it matters: Memorial Park serves a broad cross-section of township residents; the changes aim to balance play variety, ADA-compliant access, longer-lasting amenities and shade while keeping the project within budget.
What happens next: Consultant Will will refine plans and pricing (bench materials, removable-canopy options and surfacing alternatives) and return to the board; staff will include the recommended changes when forwarding the project for supervisor approval.
