The park now offers new features, including a toddler sand area that incorporates a sail boat, a playhouse, sand diggers and buried fossils, according to a Dec. 21 announcement from the city of West University Place. Additional improvements include new slides, climbers and play panels on existing play structures, powder coating on the exterior fencing, and new paint for the existing playground equipment and pavilion.
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 before being given official approval by the West University Place City Council on June 22.
“Staff worked for several months with the Parks and Recreation Board and a citizen user group to come up with the creative concept for the updates, and we are thrilled to have the playground open ahead of the holiday break!” city Parks and Recreation Director Susan White said in the announcement. “With the equipment updates and new ADA accessible sand play area, the park looks brand new.”
A youth challenge fitness course is included in the project—which began in mid-September—and will replace the park’s sand volleyball court, along with new solar lighting in the park and bollards around the walking path. Both are scheduled to be completed in January.
City Council, members of the parks board and volunteer-based nonprofit Friends of West University Parks—the funder for the project—officially reopened the playground during a Dec. 18 ribbon-cutting.
