Initial Playground Area Plan & Comments

Initial plan

Article in Patch

Check out the Patch article about the playground project –

http://tarrytown.patch.com/articles/douglas-park-to-get-natural-makeover

Creating volunteer opportunities for teens

We’ll be meeting Saturday February 6 at 9am in the park (despite the predicted snow, unless it’s too wild out) to talk about ideas for teens to volunteer in the park.  Join us if you’d like, or post any ideas.

‘Friends’ Photo

From a visit to the park on MLK Day. Thank you Tina!

Playground Update, Dec 16

Some of the ‘Friends’ group met with Sean McCarthy again on Tuesday Dec 14 for an update. Here’s a summary of this, along with what we learned from the previous meeting. Please post any questions or comments.

- Village is adding the removal of the old climber and railroad tie wall to their work list, so that this will be done as workload and conditions permit.

- Village will contact an Arborist to review and prune three large trees in playground area. We will be notified before this happens so that those interested can go an observe.

- Mr McCarthy will be preparing the next round of high-level plans early January, based on feedback.

- As a slightly separate track, he is also going to prepare specific plans for a replacement for the railroad tie wall, since this will likely be something the Village can build. The aim here is for a stone wall of some sort as both non-invasive to build (no deep footing required), and aesthetically appropriate to the site. If it’s possible to work in some play value with the types of stones suitable for climbing, etc that will also be considered.

-He or an outside firm will prepare construction drawings for the full project, depending on the Village’s decision on who should do this portion of the work. This will include the specifying of materials.

- Once the construction drawings are finished, the project will be out for bid by the village, following Village procedures. This process should take about 5 weeks (2 to advertise, 2 to complete bids, 1 to review).

- The Board will select the winning bid or bids, depending if the project is broken into sections or handled as a whole

- The Board may, at their discretion, hold a formal public hearing at any point.

- Aim to build as soon as possible in the spring, likely April. This should not be a long building process, perhaps a few weeks. There should likely not be extensive heavy equipment used.

- Landscaping to follow thereafter I believe though we did not discuss specifics here yet.

We continue to appreciate all the information, and are very excited about the progress! We will post the next round of plans as they become available in January.

Materials for boardwalks and structures

One specific request for the playground area that came from our meetings in the spring was durability/longevity, in addition to cost and aesthetics (both good looks and a good ‘feel’ for playing and sitting).

One option is to use a composite material, that incorporates plastic — or to use a material that is entirely plastic.  A materials decision will drive some aspects of the design, we learned last week. For example, since plastic can stretch in the sun, shorter lengths are used than with a natural wood.  At the same time, curves are more easily achieved than with wood.

We’ve noticed the Sawmill River Audubon uses a material called TriMax for their boardwalks at Pruyn and Choate santuaries. This looks pretty good (though nothing compares to wood), especially in the gentle grey they’ve chosen.  Trimax site Sawmill River Audubon A photo of Kids Unplugged on one of the sanctuary bridges

Playground update

A quick update, with more to follow later in the week: Our small ‘friends’ group met with village architect Sean McCarthy last week to talk about feedback on the concept sketches. We learned a lot about the process and the steps needed to get to a spring build. We’re meeting again Tues Dec 15 with him to confirm budget, who will prepare detailed specs, and maybe review a revised concept drawing. Please post a comment or email karinlane@gmail.com if you have feedback before then, or would like to join us.

New trees

New trees appeared in the park yesterday — surprise! We’ve asked the Village for the following

- remove the one badly damaged tree, since this will not make it

- remove the non-native species planted (now illegal to do so, and also not appropriate for our woodland park)

- provide protection against known problems for young trees, such as deer and dogs.

- ask our village architect to include landscaping plans for this area in his plans for the playground. E.g. for aesthetics, and also for plant health, such as landscaping to prevent mower damage to trees.

- notify neighbors of non-routine changes to the park ahead of time

Natural Playground In Tarrytown

Slide and rock climb

Neperan Park in Tarrytown has a new playground by The Natural Playground Company. I believe this is the first installment of a planned larger park, but even so, it’s great fun as is. The centerpiece is a slide set in the ground with rock climbs on either side. There are many new paths, several with stones to climb and branches to guide the way. There is also a shaped deck, and a log balance beam area. And of course, great views of the river, and the existing gravel “track” (perfect for tricycle racing?) in the main area of the park.  My kids had such a good time here we had to make two trips in one day. Definitely recommend a field trip here!

Log Balance Beams and Playdeck

View towards river and Main Street

 

Hayride House — to Keep?

The house/covered bridge structure added to the park for this year’s hayride is currently still in the park. The Village tells us it’s been examined and is structurally sound. Their question is, should it stay in the park, either where it is, or somewhere else? (Sorry for the lack of pics, will add some this weekend)

We assume it would need to be weatherized, e.g. maybe roof shingles and some sort of covering on or treatment of the sides, whether cedar shingles or something else.

Pros and Cons follow..

Gazebos noted

There has been some vandalism in one of the gazebos, and the Village has been notified. Thanks for letting us know!