The community identified playgrounds as one of the top two highest-priority park assets to upgrade within existing parks during the 2022 Parks and Natural Lands Master Plan. People also requested more accessible playgrounds.

A detailed condition rating of all park playgrounds found that nearly 60% have aged beyond their designed life, contain major damage, or require complete replacement to restore proper functionality.

This initiative will either replace or repair every playground in need within Spokane parks (based on condition rating) and improve playground accessibility. Additionally, all 9 larger community parks will receive new large playgrounds. This includes full replacement of approximately 32 playgrounds citywide. Remaining playgrounds which are not fully replaced will be repaired and see enhanced maintenance, like the more frequent replacement broken or damage parts and more regular topping off of playground mulch as well as the addition of inclusive play features.

This project will fully replace all park playgrounds rated with a physical condition of 3 or higher (scale rating of 1-5, with 5 being poor). All playground replacements will include dedicated play equipment for both the 2-5 and 5-12 age groups, inclusive play features, and enhanced ADA pathways to the playgrounds from the surrounding park. Larger (‘community’) playgrounds will also include additional play features and new rubberized play surfacing (instead of wood fiber surfacing) to further enhance accessibility.

Playgrounds that rate 1 to 3 will receive repairs and enhancements. Replacement locations and priorities will be determined annually by physical condition.

Key Improvements:

• Every playground sees either full replacement, needed repairs, or accessibility improvements
• More inclusive play features
• Site furnishings like benches
• Rubberized surfacing in larger parks
• Large custom playgrounds with fully rubberized play surfacing for enhanced accessibility at all Community Parks, including A.M. Cannon Park, Audubon Park, Comstock Park, High Bridge Park, Mission Park, Shadle Park, Sky Prairie Park, Thornton Murphy Park, and Underhill Park.

Category:

• Renovate & Replace

Master Plan Goal, Objective, and Strategy:

• First Tier. Goal K Objective 1.