John Street Park to soon get a face-lift

What was once a sleepy playground in Turner Valley’s southwest is turning into a hub of activity - and it will soon get busier.

Town council approved a proposal by the paths, parks and recreation advisory committee to add about half a dozen new pieces of playground equipment at the John Street park located on the corner of John St. and Robert St. at Turner Valley council’s March 21 meeting.

Council asked the group to look at the best way to spend $23,000 left over from a 2015 renovation of the playground.

“We wanted to have a variety of equipment that would appeal to all ages from toddlers up through elementary age children,” said committee member Karen Sinclair. “I think it’s great that the Town put aside a large amount of money last year that we can use this year to augment with other pieces.”

Using prices quoted by Sherwood Park company Canadian Recreation Solutions, the group is proposing a tire climber, solo spinner, four-seater rider, three-side infinity climber and two saucer-like swings.

Sinclair said the company quoted the equipment, shipping and installation at $26,000.

“It’s outside the original goal, but it makes a nice balance for the equipment that we’re trying to choose,” she told council. “I think it would balance things out quite nicely to have a little bit for every age group.”

Town administration will put the project out to tender with the goal of having it complete this summer.

Sinclair said the park was built by the developer about 10 years ago and consisted of just one piece of equipment that didn’t adequately suit the needs of nearby families.

“Originally, when it was just the one small structure for two to five-year-olds, you didn’t notice many families playing in that park,” she said. “This neighbourhood is full of families with kids anywhere from babies to teenagers.”

A number of families expressed concerns to the Town in recent years that the equipment wasn’t adequate.

The next closest park is about seven blocks away and is much smaller, said Sinclair.

Last year, the Town relocated playground equipment at Hells Half Acre Campground to the John Street park to make room for the Foothills Lions Spray Park and Sinclair noticed an immediate difference.

“When you go down there now there are older kids who are enjoying the use of the larger structure,” she said.

“Since they paved the pathway (last year) kids are using it to ride their bikes or scooters or skateboards. You see a wider variety of families and kids of all ages enjoying time in there.”

Sinclair met parents in the neighbourhood to learn what they would like to see added to the park after the committee was formed last summer.

“I spoke to people the last two years to get ideas of what families would be interested in,” she said. “In terms of input from conversations I’ve had with families at the playground over many months... they are definitely interested in swings and more things to climb on.”

The committee’s proposal shows the equipment will fit in existing graveled areas, with the exception of the two saucer-like swings which will require a graveled area of their own, said Sinclair.

Turner Valley Coun. Gerald Pfeil asked Sinclair and committee chairperson Irene Waring last week if the group considered using a different ground cover instead of the existing pea gravel.

Sinclair said the topic was discussed with a Canadian Recreation Solutions representative.

“He advised us to maintain the gravel surface that is already there, partially because the cost to install a rubberized surface is extreme, and it’s not as durable as gravel is,” she said.

Waring said the parks, paths and recreation advisory committee is not only looking at improving parks in Turner Valley, but is currently drafting a plan for various recreational needs in the community based on the results of a public survey distributed by the group last year.

Waring expects to present the plan to council in April.

In addition, the committee plans to hold a contest to give the John Street park an official name and will provide more details at a later date.