Construction is slated to begin mid-September and finish by the end of fall for improvements at the park, which include repurposing the sand volleyball area into a youth fitness challenge course, removal of the old wooden play structures and converting the area into a sand play area containing a new wooden sailboat, playhouse with crane, sand diggers and a fossil find.
“The Parks and Recreation Department is extremely excited about all of the updates coming soon to Colonial Park,” said Parks and Recreation Director Susan White in a news release. “The new fitness challenge course is the first youth obstacle course of its kind in our area, and it brings an entirely new type of fun to Colonial Park."
The updates meet all playground equipment standards for ages 5-12 years, according to White, and the system includes a professional timing system for competitive time-keeping.
The traditional play systems will get new paint and updates to slides, climbers and play panels. Solar lighting in the playground area, bollard lights around the walking path, repainting of the pavilion and fencing, and installation of new plastic border timbers and a new drinking fountain for pets will also be added.
Recommendations and input for the improvements came from a combination of the Parks and Recreation Board, Friends of West University Parks Board, Parks and Recreation staff, and a citizen user group, according to the news release. The concept was then approved by West University City Council on June 22.
Funding comes through the Friends of West University Parks Fund, maintained by Friends of West University Parks, a volunteer-based 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to raising funds for improving parks and green spaces in West University.
