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Beavercreek plans replacement for aging Shout Park slide, seeks $100,000 in fundraising
Summary
City staff closed the historic metal slide at Shout Park after inspectors found structural and erosion damage; the department set a $100,000 fundraising goal and will pursue a metal replacement to preserve accessibility and longevity.
Zach, the parks division presenter, said the metal slide at Shout Park has been closed after an inspection found the slide "deck itself has exceeded its life expectancy and needs to be replaced." The department will begin fundraising and outreach for replacement options, with a stated fundraising goal of about $100,000.
The department determined the slide, installed roughly 40 years ago, cannot be feasibly repaired. Zach told the board erosion around the slide footings, warped decking and newly exposed sharp edges created laceration and entanglement hazards that make reopening unsafe. "There's really nothing we can do to repair the slide," he said.
City staff are exploring replacement options; a metal slide — favored by council and staff alike — was described as the preferred option because of longevity and accessibility. Zach noted metal slides can better accommodate users with cochlear implants by avoiding static-related issues associated with plastic slides. He also outlined why the $100,000 target is larger than just the unit cost: removal of the old structure, site grading and drainage, safety surfacing, shade structures and installation of a custom metal slide add to the total project cost.
Zach said the department will publish a project page on the city website and work with fundraising partners Green Giving and the Beavercreek Enrichment Association. "Starting tomorrow, we're going to release some information on the city website," he said, and staff will seek donations and community support to meet the fundraising goal.
Board members and staff discussed preserving parts of the old slide for a future artwork or donor recognition. The department plans to use archived photos and community engagement to guide a replacement that preserves the feature's historic character while meeting current safety standards.
Next steps: staff will post detailed fundraising and project information on beavercreek.gov and coordinate with community partners on fundraising and design; no construction timeline was set in the meeting.
