WBCA seeks community input on play structures
Posted Feb 26, 2010 By Kimberly Lochhead
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Tweet ThisEMC News - The West Barrhaven Community Association (WBCA) is asking residents for their commentary on proposed plans for replacement play equipment at Neill Nesbitt Park and Houlahan Park. Installation of these new features is expected to take place this summer.
"It's an opportunity for the actual users of the park to have input into the features that they want," explained James Gilliland, president of the WBCA. "It's always better to have them involved as much as possible. We've also been involved in other park consultations like at Larkin Park where we talked to residents and incorporated what they were looking for."
The association was asked to make the call out to the community by the City of Ottawa and Grace-Kells Consulting Inc. Information collected would be used to choose certain components and features for the parks and then compiled to use in tender documents.
The proposal for Houlahan Park includes protecting existing play structures, site furniture and plant material if required. The current structure and swings however, could be removed and disposed. Nesbitt Park could also see the removal of its two play structures and swings.
Suppliers and distributors who have qualified for providing the replacement structures are ABC Recreation, Henderson Recreation Equipment Inc. and Playground Planners, among others.
The questionnaires ask residents about many different features, including the look and quantity of slides, climbers, play panels and the accessibility of the play areas. Any answered questionnaires would go directly back to the consultant.
"It's also cost-efficient for the city to ensure they are spending the money appropriately," added Mr. Gilliland. "There would be no point in putting features that the community doesn't want. By having this direct community consultation, it's a great way to make sure we are getting the best for our money."
As the demographics of neighbourhoods change, so do the needs of the area's children. Ottawa's play structures are classified by age. Junior structures are made for children between the ages of 18 months and five-years, while senior structures are geared towards children between the ages of five and 12 years. The city has developed designs for an integrated play structure, combining elements for both age groups into one. These designs and photographs are presented along with the questionnaires and additional information about the improvements.
"It's part of the city's life cycle program and these two parks are due for an upgrade," added Mr. Gilliland. "Safety is always first and we hope people take time to look at the information online, or we can always deliver printed information to them. I'm just excited to have people get involved because it's part of our mandate to get the community participating in projects like this."
The deadline to provide comment is Feb. 28. For more information or to provide comment to the city, visit www.barrhavencommunity.com/consult.
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