Lake Edge Park Playground Replacement Project

The Playground Workshop was held at the Whitehorse Middle School on Wednesday, November 16 at 6PM.  The scope of the workshop was as follow:

1. Overview of the City of Madison Playgrounds
2. Playground Design Process
3. Playground Standards and Requirements
4. Budget
5. Timeline

At the meeting, attendees were grouped by neighborhood/playgrounds where a brief discussion took place of the existing conditions of the play equipment.  The goal of the workshop/break out session was to determine the following:

• Targeted age range for the new equipment
• Colors of the structures
• Surfacing material
• Playground manufacturers

The options for age range were 2-5 years old and 5-12 years old (examples below). 

5 to 12 Years Old

2 to 5 Years Old

Colors

Posts: Brown, Blue, Purple

Railing: Blue, Lime Green

Slide/Plastic Material: Brown



Pictured Left: Examples of current playground structures and color combinations in the city.

Surfacing Materials

Two options available:

• Polymer coated shredded tires (dark brown)
• Wood chips/mulch

These are determined based on the impact attenuation from fall, etc.  The city is responsible to maintain the fill by either refilling the wood mulch or "fluff" the shredded tires once annually.

Playground Manufacturers

As indicated in the images above, the options available for selection are:

• BCI Burke
• Playworld Systems
• Playcraft Systems
• Burl'e*

Learn more about these manufacturers by selecting the embedded links to the websites.  *More to come - as Burl'e may be affiliated with Burke. 

Add-ins via Neighborhood Fundraising

What's Next?

There were a handful of Lake Edge neighbors who attended the workshop and decisions were needed to be made.  I asked if we could have additional time to survey the neighborhood.  The request was granted.  As such, please complete the survey no later than Monday, November 28.  I will compile and submit the information to the Project Manager, Sarah Lerner.  I've started a discussion thread in the LENA Facebook Group. 

Thus far, wood mulch and Playworld are the preferred choices.  The replacement project includes the following: 

• A standard baby/toddler and adult swings are included (as pictured above regardless of the manufacturer chosen)
• One play structure
  • Options such as the number of slides, monkey bars, etc to be determined at the next meeting based on the manufacturer selected
• Add-ons
  • Possible to add play equipment via fundraising
• Construction and installation costs including relocation of the yellow spinner and the blue half circle climber and bouncer

Here's the plan for the park (see image below).  An asphalt pathway will be installed connecting the shelter to the new playground structure, making it accessible and ADA compliant.  Next meeting is scheduled for January 10 at 6PM at the Pinney Library.  I will create an event for the meeting once confirmed.  Play structure options will be presented for selection based on the manufacturer selected at this meeting.  Neighbors and attendees will be able to provide further inputs such as the play options (e.g. monkey bars, bridges, climbing wall, etc) at this meeting.  Please be sure to check back or join our Facebook group or LENA to receive most current information.