Resident proposes fully accessible Fort Branch playground; Community Pride warns of maintenance costs

Haley Zilak, a Fort Branch resident and parent, presented a proposal to create a fully accessible playground at one of the town's parks, saying she had obtained preliminary quotes and renderings from two firms and expected additional bids by the next meeting.

'Creating an accessible space for our community playgrounds is essential,' Zilak said, arguing that inclusive playgrounds better support children with mobility, sensory or developmental challenges and offer broad social and health benefits.

Zilak said Community Pride has been a sounding board for the effort and that she had contacted the county commissioner and the Evansville Regional Economic Partnership to explore funding and grant opportunities. She asked to return the following month with more detailed quotes and drawings.

Lisa Duncle of Fort Branch Community Pride supported the project's goals but urged caution, citing prior playground lawsuits and high ongoing upkeep costs. 'Upkeep for a park like this can be over $25,000 a year,' she said and suggested starting with accessible paths and incremental improvements while the town examines insurance, liability and maintenance plans.

Town officials agreed to review additional quotes and asked Zilak to email drawings in advance of the next meeting so the board could prepare specific questions about cost, insurance and maintenance responsibilities.

The meeting did not take any formal funding action; organizers said they would return with more complete cost estimates and vendor proposals for further discussion.