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St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Lee Enterprises

Wednesday, October 8, 2003 11:12 AM CDT
New play equipment slated for Woods Park

BY ROB STROUD, Staff Writer

CHARLESTON -- The plaque at Woods Park states it was dedicated in 1971 to honor former Mayor Bill Woods, who "was interested in helping his neighbors, and especially the children of this area."

However, the park's outdated playground equipment and decaying basketball court reportedly made it an unsafe place for children to play for many years.

The city removed most of the old playground equipment this week and temporarily closed the park at the northern end of 11th Street until new equipment can be installed.

"That is one of the older parks in our park system," said Parks and Recreation Director Scott Smith.

Smith said the old playground equipment had been spread around the fenced-in park, leaving no large spaces for children to safely run and play. He said the new equipment will be condensed into one area with a soft base of wood chips.

"It will free up green space," Smith said.

Plans call for the new playground to include a slide, three spring riders, swings with regular and toddler seats, and new benches. Smith said he hopes to have the new equipment installed within a couple of weeks, weather permitting.

Some of the equipment that city crews removed included a junglegym and merry-go-round, two play devices that the city has been doing away with because of the potential for accidents.

City crews also removed a slide with a reflective surface that could become very hot in the sun.

Park neighbor Michael Strange said the old playground equipment was dangerous to children, adding he is pleased the city is making improvements at the park.

"I think it is a 360-degree turn for the park and for the children," Strange said.

Smith said the city also intends to repaint the park's picnic pavilion.

Strange said he would like to see the city cover the pavilion's wooden support posts with metal siding and install metal picnic tables there to curb vandalism.

In addition, Smith said the city has removed the park's decaying basketball court and has no plans in the near future to replace it.

Strange said the basketball court had attracted older youths to the park, whose presence often deterred children from playing there. He said there are a lot of families with young children in the working-class neighborhoods around the park.

Park neighbor Ralph Craig said the city's plans to focus the park on young children will provide a good place for them to go and play.

"Any improvement will help," Craig said.

Contact Rob Stroud at rstroud@jg-tc.com or 348-5734.

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