Danged if I know.
But I read this post of Dee’s with great interest, because I was acquainted with a man who helped install this playground at May Street School a few years ago. According to that article, the playground cost approximately $30,000, and the volunteers who installed it saved the project between $10,000 and $12,000.
The sign at Providence Street indicates that the playground was manufactured by Miracle Recreation Equipment Company, so I checked out their website for similar equipment.
This model is about as close as I could find, and it costs a bit more than $16,000.
For comparison, this model is much fancier, and costs about $25,000.
An arch swingset, as seen in Dee’s photo, would cost about $3,500.
So, with labor (if we’re estimating $10,000), my best guess at the playground equipment installed would be about $35,000.
How that turns into nearly half a million dollars is anyone’s guess.
too bad its for children under 5, older children will use it anyway and probably ruin it
Well, that’s something I thought was really weird, because if half the point is for it to be a playground for a school…why are we installing equipment that’s appropriate for the under-five set??
I’m not surprised. This is the same City department that decided it would be a good idea to locate swings and slides directly behind a little league field, well within the range of foul balls.
Time to hold their feet to the fire and discover where the money went…and why only 2-5 year olds can use the facilities.
Sean, your post is great, too (and my computer isn’t posting on your blog again..grrr). I’d only add that the land there is really meant to be swamp and tries to become swamp at every opportunity. The irrigation doesn’t help.
Vernon Hill does have a preschool, so there are kids 3,4, and 5 there daily. I was told, though, that this was a two-part playground, with part for older kids. I haven’t been over to see; anyone know?
Thanks for the response. From Dee’s pictures, it obviously doesn’t look completed. I’ll swing by sometime this week and see how things look. (I also hope that they’re planning on some separation — preferably with a fence — between the two.)
I think we should look into the playgrounds… Elm Park is great (except for the lack of big-kid swings). I’m thinking of Crompton Park… they tore down one of the playgrounds last week to make way for the pool, and I’m hoping that the other playground could be revitalized somehow. It looks awful, and there’s no preschool-friendly part for little kids, so parents have to keep picking their tots from the big-kid equipment. Hmm… Also, the Mayor has adopted two four and a half yearolds and is visiting each park (and playground) to see for himself their condition. I saw him at Elm Park a month ago playing with the kids. I went up to him and mentioned that when I took my boyfriend’s kids to the Newbury St playground the day before, it was overwhelmed by trash. I know that he’s not the correct person to mention it to, but he recognizes my face and he was there.
Hi, Nicole!
Hi Hannah!
I think it would be great if a blogger (not me) started profiling playgrounds, complete with pictures, especially highlighting what needed to be repaired, and compare that to what was invested in Providence Street.
Today, I noticed that they’ve installed what appears to be post for a fence to enclose the entire playground from the traffic on Providence Street.
Also, I’m sure that if we were to review the flow of traffic on Providence Street, I’m sure it’s increased dramatically since the Walmart opened.
I haven’t visited may of the City’s parks, but the ones that I have visited are in rough shape and many of the area residents don’t take care of them and the older kids end up tagging the equipment or purposefully trying to break stuff.
the parks definitely suffered under city manager hoover and obrien, the excuse to not clean or repair is always “we’re going to renovate that park completely as pat of some big project”
No one wants to love and care for the parks each day and week.
There’s always this:
http://publicworkshop.us/?p=194
as an option.
Imagine this and the Common. Or any under-used park, really. (Not that the Common is underused, but I think it could do with a skate park.)
I would love to have what is in that picture in Chicago on any corner in Worcester, I am glad they think they can improve on whats there now