Two neighborhood playgrounds in the City of Richardson will soon undergo a full renovation. The Richardson City Council approved the equipment and installation purchase contracts last month for Woodhaven Grove Park and Mark Twain Park. The renovation of these playgrounds will be provided by funds from the 2021 bond program.
Superintendent of Park Planning Kurt Beilharz explained that the City’s Parks and Recreation Department maintains a list of all playgrounds based on the date of their installation.
“When funding becomes available, we try to replace and or renovate playgrounds every 15-20 years, he said. “If two playgrounds were constructed or renovated in the same year, and they are due for renovations, but one gets a lot more wear than the other, we try to replace the one with the most wear first.”
Woodhaven Grove Park, located at 713 South Grove Rd., and Mark Twain Park, located at 1240 Larkspur Dr., will get new play equipment. Accessibility upgrades have already been completed for existing ramps and walkways around the playgrounds at both parks. A new drinking fountain was also installed near the Mark Twain playground. These upgrades bring the parks up to full compliance with the state and federal accessibility standards.
The renovation of Woodhaven Grove Park is expected to be completed in early fall. Mark Twain is expected to be complete by late October. More information about the City’s parks can be found at www.cor.net/parks.
