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Commission hears vendor estimates, ADA and maintenance concerns for Chipper Jones Park playground
Summary
Presenter Ryan shared vendor cost estimates ($120,000–$140,000) for major playground replacement, described ADA elements and ongoing maintenance obligations required by FRDAP, and explained staff plans to remove hazardous old equipment.
During the FRDAP presentation, Ryan and commissioners drilled into cost, accessibility and maintenance details for Chipper Jones Park.
Ryan said a playground vendor recommended simplifying the park layout into a few multi-age pieces and estimated a primary package in the $120,000–$140,000 range. He described retrofit costs for isolated pieces as potentially $10,000–$15,000 apiece, noting vendors sometimes recommend full replacement rather than retrofitting older proprietary components. “He said, by the time you do that and then pay someone to come, cut out the old bolts that are froze up, pull it out… you might spend 10 or $15 retrofitting 1 piece of equipment, or you could spend 30 and just get a new 1,” Ryan said.
Ryan also explained the FRDAP scoring and maintenance requirements, including surfacing depth and anchoring standards. He said the vendor discussed boxed-in mulch and rubberized edge containment, and that some rubberized surfacing products are expensive with uncertain longevity. Ryan told commissioners the town’s public-works crew would remove the most hazardous equipment regardless of grant outcome.
Commissioners asked whether the proposed designs would meet ADA requirements; Ryan confirmed ADA elements were included in large play structures and that accessible swings were discussed though they present additional challenges. The commission endorsed pursuit of the grant and directed staff to include a maintenance plan in the application.
