(June 22, 2017) Children who attend Head Start programs on Flower Street in Berlin recently got a surprise in the form of new playground equipment, courtesy of the Town of Berlin.
While working to install a large stormwater pond, or offline wetland, behind the multipurpose building, workers had to move several pieces of playground equipment nearby.
Town Administrator Laura Allen said the area is county property, but the town had an easement to work there.
“In scoping out the area for the wetland, it became apparent that we were going to be encroaching on play equipment that the Head Start program had behind the multipurpose building,” Allen said. “One structure – I really couldn’t tell you what it was – they were perfectly fine with us taking it out and not doing anything to replace it.”
Another small jungle gym also had to be moved, she said, and town workers inspected the remaining equipment and made recommendations for repairs.
“What happens with play equipment, is when you go to move it or pull it up, we get concerned about it losing its structural integrity and will it be more of a liability than an asset,” Allen said. “Initially we were thinking we were just going to relocate the structure, but as we thought about it further we decided that was not the right move.”
Allen said the town reached out to officials at Head Start in order to determine, roughly, the value of the play equipment so it could be replaced. About $5,000 in stormwater funds was used to pay for the new structure and its installation.
Head Start Director Denise Allen said the playground is mainly used by 3 and 4-year-old children, to help build gross motor skills.
She said the entire playground is now more child-friendly and is handicapped-accessible. That and the installation of a safety fence around the pond “really enhanced our services for the children.”
She estimated the old structure was 10-20 years old.
“It was awesome working with the town – a great partnership,” she said. “They really wanted to focus on making sure that the children would be safe, and also just enhancing the equipment. It really is beautiful.”
Children who attend Head Start also approved of the new equipment, she said.
“They think it’s awesome. They love it – not only them, but also their parents,” she said.
While working to install a large stormwater pond, or offline wetland, behind the multipurpose building, workers had to move several pieces of playground equipment nearby.
Town Administrator Laura Allen said the area is county property, but the town had an easement to work there.
“In scoping out the area for the wetland, it became apparent that we were going to be encroaching on play equipment that the Head Start program had behind the multipurpose building,” Allen said. “One structure – I really couldn’t tell you what it was – they were perfectly fine with us taking it out and not doing anything to replace it.”
Another small jungle gym also had to be moved, she said, and town workers inspected the remaining equipment and made recommendations for repairs.
“What happens with play equipment, is when you go to move it or pull it up, we get concerned about it losing its structural integrity and will it be more of a liability than an asset,” Allen said. “Initially we were thinking we were just going to relocate the structure, but as we thought about it further we decided that was not the right move.”
Allen said the town reached out to officials at Head Start in order to determine, roughly, the value of the play equipment so it could be replaced. About $5,000 in stormwater funds was used to pay for the new structure and its installation.
Head Start Director Denise Allen said the playground is mainly used by 3 and 4-year-old children, to help build gross motor skills.
She said the entire playground is now more child-friendly and is handicapped-accessible. That and the installation of a safety fence around the pond “really enhanced our services for the children.”
She estimated the old structure was 10-20 years old.
“It was awesome working with the town – a great partnership,” she said. “They really wanted to focus on making sure that the children would be safe, and also just enhancing the equipment. It really is beautiful.”
Children who attend Head Start also approved of the new equipment, she said.
“They think it’s awesome. They love it – not only them, but also their parents,” she said.