Politics & Government
City Hopes Donations Will 'Pave' Way to New Playground Equipment
Much of Luther Burbank Park's aging play equipment needs to be replaced, say local officials, and they're offering to install a path of personalized bricks to honor donors who help fund the project.
Islanders will have a chance to "pave" a part of Luther Burbank Park with a personalized brick as part of a city effort to to replace aging playground equipment there.
The Mercer Island Parks & Recreation Department is seeking to "Pave the Path to Play" with public donations of $200 or more to offset the estimated $328,000 cost of replacing old playground equipment that it says has reached the end of it's useful life span.
Two public forums will be scheduled to help the city design the new playground, which is expected to be complete by the end of 2013.
Find out what's happening in Mercer Islandwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
"The playground equipment is no longer in compliance with American Society for Testing Standards (ASTM) and Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) guidelines," said Parks Superintendent Jason Kintner.
In return for a $200 donation or more, the Parks and Recreation Department will personalize a brick with your name and message that will be included in the new family play area at Luther Burbank Park. Residents and donors interested in donating can click here to find an order form for the brick.
Find out what's happening in Mercer Islandwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The family playground is located directly south of the MI Parks and Recreation and Youth and Family Services Administration building and east of the tennis courts, and include. The project would remove the a slide/jungle gym equipment currently located at the popular play area and replace it with newer, safer equipment that can handle more children — especially during the busy summer months.
City Council approved $303,000 to be spent from the city's Beautification Fund in the biennial budget, passed on Dec. 3. The fund is is paid for by the city's Business and Occupation tax, which is paid by businesses (1/10 of 1 percent of gross receipts with the first $150,000 in gross receipts exempt from the tax). City Parks and Rec were tasked with raising the last $25,000.
For more information about the "Pave the Path to Play" fundraising effort for the new playground equipment, visit the Parks and Recreation website or call 206-275-7609.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.