Kids Kastle construction could continue in October after Highland Village forgoes community-build approach

The rebuilding of the Kids Kastle playground in Highland Village will go forward after coronavirus-related restrictions derailed the original plans for a community build.

Construction could begin as early as October after Highland Village City Council on Sept. 8 approved a contract with Play by Design to complete the rebuild of Kids Kastle, according to a city staff memo.

The playground was designed and constructed by Highland Village residents more than two decades ago in the city’s Unity Park.

The original intent behind the project was to have the community come together in the summer to finish building the playground structures. But because of coronavirus-related restrictions, including Gov. Greg Abbott’s order banning gatherings of 10 or more people, that community build would have had to be delayed into 2021 at earliest.

Instead, council members directed city staff to move forward with a professional contract to complete the project as quickly as possible, without compromising a series of other bond-funded projects. Those other projects included Victoria Park path, sidewalks along Highland Village Road, and a Chapel Hill Trail connection.

The first phase of construction was completed in May by in-house staff. The community build had been scheduled for July.