The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is beginning the demolition of the existing playground at Bethune Park on Wednesday, June 10.
The new equipment will be installed in the existing play container. The design features swings, two play structures for children ages 2-5 and ages 5-12, spinners, a toddler rocker, and relocated excavators. The playground will have an engineered wood fiber (wood chip) surface, with poured in place rubber pathways for increased accessibility, and will meet existing safety guidelines.
Concepts for the playground and adjacent wading pool improvements were developed with public input provided through intercept surveys at community events and classes, community meetings and an on-line survey. The Heritage Park Neighborhood Association (HPNA) helped publicize information about the playground and wading pool improvements and the opportunities for input.
View the Proposed Concept Plan [PDF]
Weather and construction schedules permitting, the playground will hopefully be complete and ready for use in 6-8 weeks. The Park Board anticipates closing the wading pool in early August. Construction of the pool will last through the fall, with the pool reopening for the summer of 2016. During construction, first the playground, followed by the pool and some adjacent park areas, will be fenced off and closed. For your safety, please pay attention to signage and stay away from work areas and construction vehicles.
The playground and wading pool are funded with $150,000 and $500,000 from the MPRB Neighborhood Park Capital Improvement Program (CIP). Several community organizations have contributed to make the playground and pool better. Thank you to People for Parks for donating additional play equipment and benches for the wading pool, and to the Minneapolis Parks Foundation for donating the wading pool bubbler play features!
Contact
Questions from the Media:
Dawn Sommers, Communications & Marketing Director
Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board
Office: 612-230-6407 / Cell: 612-221-9155
dsommers@minneapolisparks.org
Question from the Public:
Kate Lamers, Project Manager
Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board
612-499-0260
klamers@minneapolisparks.org