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Sterling accepts donated ADA swing for Evergreen Park after liability review
Summary
The Sterling City Commission accepted a donation of a Willy Goat ADA-accessible swing from the Kansas Freemasons, approved its installation at Evergreen Park and decided the swing will remain unlocked for public use despite insurer guidance recommending a locking mechanism; the city will assume maintenance responsibility.
The Sterling City Commission voted March 2 to accept a donated Willy Goat ADA-accessible swing from the Kansas Freemasons Sterling Lodge No. 171 and to place the equipment at Evergreen Park.
City Manager Ian Hutcheson described the model and the Park Advisory Board’s recommendation to site the swing next to the existing playground, citing an existing zero-entry sidewalk and proximity to the Sterling Village retirement community. Hutcheson noted the city had previously received a $500 micro-grant from First Bank toward either an accessible play item or a dog park; the Sterling Lodge agreed to pay the remaining purchase and installation costs. "The swing would be greatly beneficial to her family's ability to enjoy the City's parks," resident Catherine Leake told commissioners during public comment in support of the donation.
Hutcheson said Midwest Public Risk (MPR), the city's insurer, reviewed the Willy Goat specifications and advised that wheelchair-compatible swings sometimes present additional liability considerations and that owners often install a keyed locking mechanism to control access. MPR told staff there would be no added premium cost to the city for owning the equipment; it recommended considering a lock to limit use when no attendant is present. Clay Thomas, a Sterling Lodge member who assisted in the presentation, answered commissioners' questions about logistics.
Despite MPR's recommendation, the commission voted 5-0 to accept the donation and to allow the swing to remain unlocked for public use. The commission also voted 5-0 to approve the swing’s placement at Evergreen Park. Hutcheson said the city will add the new equipment to its property inventory, coordinate any agreed unlocking procedure with the Sterling Lodge, and will be responsible for future maintenance and repairs under its property and liability coverage.
The decision followed months of Park Advisory Board discussion and earlier direction that the $500 micro-grant be used for accessible playground equipment. The city did not set a specific installation date at the March 2 meeting.
