Spring Summer 2024

Park Updates & Capital Improvement Projects

Thompson Park Playground Update Thank you to everyone that provided feedback on the new playground at Thompson Park! Outreach began this past October with an initial survey to find out what residents would like to see in a new design. Over 200 residents participated, including 19 children’s worksheets completed by the true playground experts - kids! Parents said that open slides, toddler play and rope climbers were important parts of a playground design. The kids let us know that rope bridges, climbing play and spinners were some of their favorite features. Based on the initial feedback, our playground vendor (Midstates Recreation) provided three potential options for the design of the new playground. These concepts were shared with the community through an online survey and 515 residents participated. The favorite concept was Option 2 with 50% of the vote. Option 1 was a distant second with 29% and Option 3 got 22%. In addition to selecting a favorite concept, we also asked residents to provide any other comments that would be helpful in the design of the new playground. The most repeated comment received was the importance of shade and maintaining existing trees on site. In response to this, Staff worked with Midstates Recreation to add a large shade sail to the main structure of Option 2. Additionally, the playground was carefully sited to minimize the impact to existing trees. A couple of trees will be removed for the project, but these are trees that were already scheduled for removal based on an assessment of their health. Additional new trees will be planted at the playground to help supplement the trees that are removed. Also, staff have made plans to supplement the playground in the future with an adjacent nature play area which will be installed in future years. Again, thank you to everyone that provided input on the new playground. Removal of the existing playground will begin this spring to prepare the site for the new playground. We are anticipating that the new playground will be installed in time for day camp this summer.

Northam Park Update Work also began this winter on the renovation of the Northam Park Service Building and Tennis Complex. Bids for the project came in under budget, allowing the inclusion of all the alternate items, including six public dedicated pickleball courts. Additionally, project funding will allow for the inclusion of underground irrigation to the clay tennis courts and a kitchen space within the service building. These improvements are on top of the base scope of the project, which included a new service building with storage and year round restrooms, replacement of park walking paths and renovation of nine clay tennis courts. This project will be an exciting next step in the renovation of Northam Park. The clay tennis courts will remain open throughout the summer as work progresses on the rest of the project. The full scope is scheduled to be complete later this fall with the anticipation that the Northam Park Tennis Complex will open on its normal schedule in Spring of 2025.

THOMPSON PARK PLAYGROUND RENDERINGS

Thompson Park Option 2

23-4927D

@CityofUAPR | 614-583-5300 | parks.uaoh.net

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