HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-05-06-PLAY-min "Final Report" •
Final Report - Playground Ad-Hbc Comm. (-formed at the request of 1991 TM)
Members: Dale G`aasland - Parks Supt; Rich Specs - Director;;DPW;John
Monahan - School Bldg. & Grounds; Dick Barnes - Supt.of Schools;Al Zabin - School
Comm.; Maggie Whitesell - Recreation Programs Director; Sandra Shaw -Rec. Corn.
Charge: The Committee shall research the issue of consolidating the op t tions r :-
and maintenance of all playgrounds, advising as to which town entity lebest
equipped to maintain and operate these facilities.
Report: Upon completion of numerous site visits to school playground cilities and
follow-up committee discussions, two areas of mutual concern became apparent.
The maintenance of equipment in the surrounding play areas and the availability of
funds for capital improvements.
With regard to the maintenance of the school playground facilities, it is the
consensus of the committee that the day-to-day maintenance continue to be the
responsibility of the School Department. The Parks Dept., in conjunction with'the
School Dept., will work semi-annually on larger projects such as re-grading and
replacing needed sand and fill.
The second area of concern addressed was the financial impact which capital
purchases would make on the Recreation, Parks and School budgets. To that end,
the Committee made the following recommendations:
1. If some of the school playground equipment is determined to be unsafe and
a possible liability, its removal is recommended.
2. Regarding replacement of equipment, parent organizations at each school
should be encouraged to set up "Play-ground Subcommittees" in order to:
a. Determine equipment needs
b. Raise any funds deemed neccesary
c. Work with the Supt. of Parks and the School Supervisor of Buildings and
Grounds on siting and installation of equipment. All community-based
purchases of playground equipment must have the approval of the Supt.
of Parks and the School Dept. Supervisor of Buildings & Grounds.
3. The Recreation Dept. will offer free consulting services to any parent
organization seeking guidance in developing their school playground.
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4. During the fundraising process for the purchase of new equipment, 10% should
be added to the costs and placed in a trust fund for the future maintenance of the
refurbished playground, The use of wood structures should be limited to keep the cost of
maintenance to a minimum.
Sandra Shaw
Precinct 4
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