Project concept approved, funding decision to come later
Published 5:30 pm Wednesday, December 16, 2015
Washington’s City Council, during its meeting Monday, approved the conceptual plans for the Havens Gardens Play Together grant project but held off authoring funding for the project.
The project would help update the playground at Havens Gardens to make it more accessible for disabled or handicapped children. The plans were developed by Cunningham Recreation. Those plans, according to Kristi Roberson, the city’s parks and recreation manager, required approval by the end of the month.
“The budget, actually, may change a little bit. When that does, it will come back to you, but I just need approval for the concept rendering that will currently have so that it can be approved by Trillium for a final project,” she said.
The city’s Recreation Advisory Committee reviewed the plans and recommended the council accept it. The plan includes input gathered at a Nov. 21 public meeting on the project. A $225,000 grant from Trillium Health Resources provides the money for the project. Implementing the plan carries an estimated price tag of $264,055.42, according to a project document. Eliminating some of the new playground equipment can reduce the project’s cost.
The equipment includes items such as an expression swing, crow’s nest (complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act), roller slide, merry musical, water sound panel and merry-go-round. The project also includes a custom-made sign to identify the waterfront park.
In other business, the council approved an agreement with Willie Allen (doing business as Outback Outfitters & Guide Service) to reduce the deer population by managing hunting rights at Washington-Warren Airport. Allen previously provided such a service at the airport. For a $500 annual payment by Allen, the city would grant him exclusive rights to conduct deer hunts on airport property for the years 2016 through 2020. The hunts, limited to bow hunters, would have to abide by the state’s hunting laws.