Both Thompson-Berry and Dugan Best parks are in line to receive upgrades in the near future. The equipment at each playground will be completely replaced, and officials say they plan to start removing the current infrastructure this week.
According to Amanda Rogers, Owensboro Parks & Recreation Director, each of the City’s 14 playgrounds is set up on a 12-15 year replacement plan.
Much of the decision on exactly when to upgrade a playground is based on the condition of the equipment upon inspection. Thompson-Berry’s current equipment was installed in 2004, while Dugan Best’s was installed in 2001, pushing both playgrounds past the typical threshold for replacement.
Rogers said that delay likely stemmed from the equipment at each location holding up over time.
“They get looked at every 12 years and are analyzed,” Rogers said. “We have two [replacement projects] in the budget for the current year because Thompson-Berry got pushed back because of COVID.”
The City’s Public Works department will begin pulling out the old equipment and repacking the ground by the end of this week, Rogers said. The removal and site work at both locations will be the longest wave of the project.
After that, contractors with Miracle of KY & TN will begin installing the new equipment, which should only take two to four days, Rogers noted. The company also did the work for the Chautauqua Park and Smothers Park playgrounds.
Rogers said they hope to start installation at Thompson-Berry the week of Feb. 22 and Dugan Best the following week, assuming there are no weather delays.
“These will have a more current look and feel with a new and improved play value,” Rogers said. “Playgrounds have such an important education component too. Kids learn to pull, grab — they learn spatial recognition. We want to always provide that so the kids can grow.”
Rogers said both playgrounds were fairly large in design and that Miracle of KY & TN offered to do the installations at “a good price for the value.” The Dugan Best playground is expected to cost $99,635 and Thompson-Berry should cost $59,336.
The money for playground replacements comes from budgeted dollars the Parks Department puts to the side over the years, which makes it easier for Rogers and her team to get projects up and running as they don’t require approval for funding from City Commissioners.
Rogers said one of the best things about playgrounds is the opportunity to give kids a chance to play and learn from one another without the societal boundaries often placed on them through other outlets, whether it be via school, church or their neighborhood.
“Parks bring so much to a community,” she said. “It’s a great opportunity for kids to play outside and learn the value of one another as humans.”
