Manson’s Singleton Park Upgrade Focuses on Inclusivity

Manson Parks and Recreation is pushing forward with the Singleton Park playground renovation that will replace 30 year old equipment, conduct a complete facelift on the dated playground and make an inclusive watering hole for playground goers.

"The overall goal is to take everything out, we're going to do a complete makeover on the playground itself," said Robin Pittman, director.

The fall surfacing will be transitioned from sand into another material, Pittman stated the department is considering the cost effective engineered wood fiber (wood chips) option. There will be a complete overhaul on equipment with a focus on inclusivity.

"We're going to do an inclusive playground so what that means is it's going to be a place for people of all different abilities can go and play side by side. It'll have different features that might be easier for somebody to use who might have mobility issues or different aspects that somebody with sensory issues might be able to use," said Pittman. "We see it being a place that really evokes that sense of wonder."

The timeline for the upgraded playground is fueled by funding. Currently the project has been working with five different playground manufacturers and as bids trickle in, the cost is somewhere between $100,000-$150,000. Though admittedly ambitious, Pittman stated that the goal is to have the orders in by winter 2019 and install in the spring of 2020. That being said, the department is willing to stall the project for grants and other funding to settle in.