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Port Edwards committee advances plan for accessible Creek Park playground with manufacturer grant
Summary
The Port Edwards Parks, Recreation and Cemetery Committee reviewed a vendor proposal to replace the Creek Park playground with an accessible, poured‑in‑place surfacing and inclusive playpiece; equipment is quoted at roughly $154,000 and staff said a manufacturer grant would cover most of the structure cost if the village applies early.
The Port Edwards Parks, Recreation and Cemetery Committee heard a presentation on a proposed replacement for the Creek Park playground that would add accessible, poured‑in‑place surfacing and inclusive play equipment.
Tim, a representative of MWP Recreation, told the committee the design would preserve existing swings and monkey bars while replacing the surfacing to give wheelchair and walker access across the play area. He said poured‑in‑place surfacing creates a continuous, accessible route and that “everything is accessible. It doesn't matter who you are,” adding that inclusive features let users wheel in and take a 360‑degree turn.
Parks staff outlined the pricing and funding approach. The vendor quote lists the playground structure at about $154,000; the quote also shows material surcharge and freight line items discussed in the meeting. Tim said he had reflected a manufacturer grant in the pricing and described a Game Time community grant program that can offset most of the equipment cost if the village is on that program’s timeline. He said the grant fund is awarded on a rolling/chronological basis and encouraged an early application to secure an earlier installation date.
Committee members pressed on surfacing options and costs. Tim explained why sand no longer meets ADA guidelines for accessibility, described engineered wood fiber as a lower‑cost alternative that requires greater depth for fall protection, and said poured‑in‑place is more durable and better at maintaining accessible routes. He gave a standalone example price of roughly $16,000 for one inclusive playpiece and noted playground surfacing requires periodic treatment (he recommended re‑treatment every one to two years depending on use).
On installation scope, Tim said the vendor would supply the structure and surfacing but would not perform demolition, major excavation or most concrete work; staff agreed the village will perform some site prep and concrete/blacktop work. Warranty timelines discussed included about 15 years for plastic slides and long lifetimes for stainless fasteners and bolt‑on components; the vendor said many repairs can be completed with repair kits and routine maintenance.
The committee asked Tim to provide color mockups and a digital palette showing lighter deck colors to reduce heat in full sun; staff said they would request updated visuals and report back to the board. No formal motion was required at the meeting to proceed; staff said funding has been earmarked in the parks budget and that staff will finalize a grant application and site logistics with the vendor.
Next steps: staff will request updated color mockups from the vendor, submit required grant materials to be considered for Game Time installation scheduling, and coordinate blacktop/concrete site work so the playground installation can proceed in the next available season.
