Imagine roller slides, music and sensory features, and a tunnel for toddlers to complement the Luckey Climber. Playground designers already have.
These new components are part of a new design concept unveiled for the 5,000-square-foot playground at The Commons.
Hitchcock Design Group presented its vision for an upgraded and updated playground to nearly 20 people during a noon Monday presentation, one of two offered that day for the public.
The firm was hired by the city to develop a design for the playground, named for James A. Henderson, the retired Cummins Inc. chairman who led a $3 million campaign to rebuild The Commons.
“There’s a lot of wear and tear due to the amount of use it’s getting,” said Randy Royer, principal with the Hitchcock firm.
Overall visitor attendance at the playground fluctuates throughout the year, Commons manager Shanda Sasse said.
A slow period may see about 1,000 playground visitors per week. And a busy one — such as spring, fall or winter school break periods — might see attendance of 2,000 per week, Sasse estimated.
Commons Board member Kevina Schumaker, who attended the open house, said city officials had not expected such levels of use when the playground opened in 2011.
When the new equipment is installed, it will be more durable and easier to maintain than what’s currently in place, city parks and recreation director Mark Jones said.
For more on this story, see Wednesday’s Republic.
