Fort Worth parks department to replace 8 playgrounds

The playground replacements are being funded through the city’s Capital Improvement Projects budget, Penn said. These last eight playgrounds coming through are part of the Fiscal Year 2021-22 Capital Improvement Projects budget, he said in an email.

“In 2017/2018 we identified 50 playgrounds that had reached a capital lifespan of 20 years; we formulated a plan to replace those playgrounds over the next five years,” he said.

During an April City Council work session, Park and Recreation Director Richard Zavala said these replacements are running behind from the estimated late 2023 completion date due to supply shortages from the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said his goal is to try to work through the last of these playground replacements and on to upcoming park projects as quickly as possible.

“Time is money,” he said, expanding that playground equipment has increased in price by 30% since 2018.

What’s next?

Penn said the playground replacements are expected to start construction in June and be completed next March.