New swings, new play structures for infants and small children alike, balance beams and a two-person merry-go-round will all be part of a replacement of the playground at Claggett Creek Park.
The Keizer City Council approved a $282,261 contract with Ross Recreation Equipment for the project at its meeting Monday, Aug. 3.
The project is expected to be completed by November 1, if weather cooperates. All of the playground equipment, aside from some swings, will rest atop a poured-in-place surface designed to reduce injury from falls. The surface will be similar to those found in Keizer Rapids Parks and Meadows Park but include a “river” running through the center.
Demolition of the current play structure will occur first followed by the installation of the poured surface. The play area is expected to be off-limits to visitors for four to six weeks.
In addition to the play structures, the playground will have “game panels” instructing visitors to listen for specific sounds, identify fish in the Willamette River and seek out “medallions” with specific symbols hidden throughout the playground structures. A disability swing will be added to the planned replacements for the existing ones.
The last time the city conducted an overhauls of park equipment, at Meadows Park and Carlson Skate Park, Keizer Public Works and the parks department held planning sessions inviting community members to voice their desires. Because of the pandemic, city residents were not given the same opportunities this time around.
Keizer Parks Supervisor Robert Johnson said the city’s desire to begin and complete the project in 2020 led to the canceling of traditional outreach efforts.
Renovations at parks throughout Keizer are being made possible by a $4-per-month parks services fee collected by the city.
