New Playground Equipment in the Works at Haserot Beach

At their meeting last night, the Peninsula Township Board voted unanimously to move forward with constructing new playground equipment at Haserot Beach.

Parks Committee members Beth Karczewski, Don Atkinson and Eric Dreier presented an overview of the project, which will replace the aging, unsafe playground equipment that is currently there.

The new playground will be constructed of steel and aluminum, with a base of engineered wood chips. Suitable for kids aged 2 to 12 years old, it includes two slides (one straight and one twisty), a climbing wall, a spread-out design with an optional sun shade and more.

The project also includes swings that are separate from the structure, facing the water. One seat will be a “bucket” seat suitable for very young kids.

The playground footprint is 35′ x 50′ and will be located about where the current playground is now, on the right side of Haserot Beach as you’re facing the water. The sun shade is built to withstand up to 90 mph winds, and is also designed to be taken down during the winter months.

The Township Board approved a cost of up to $57,000 for the project, to be drawn from the Township’s Enterprise Fund, a fund that’s been in existence since the 1990s and consists of monies paid each year by T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon and other cell phone companies to enhance their coverage.

However, potential contributions of $5000+ from township residents will bring the cost down. If you would like to donate towards the project, contact the township, (231) 223-7322.

Township Supervisor Rob Manigold praised the committee for their diligent work to research, plan and make the new playground a reality.

“We have a responsibility to take care of our residents, especially during a pandemic when people are cooped up at home and want to be outside,” he said. “This is a great time to use and improve our parks.”

The cost also includes professional installation, as using resident volunteers during the Covid-19 pandemic would be a challenge, noted Karczewski. After communicating with three potential contractors, the committee recommended awarding the contract to Sinclair Recreation of Holland, Michigan, as they scored 100 percent on budget, responsiveness, design, and ability to start the project this summer.

They anticipate having the structure built and in place by the end of this summer. They are starting with the Haserot Beach playground, and once that’s finished, will move on to Bowers Harbor Park as their next playground project.

Here’s a photo of the old playground equipment currently at Haserot Beach.