The Peninsula Township Parks Committee has been hard at work on a new playground for Haserot Beach, and now we’re one step closer. Yesterday, the old play structure at the beach was torn down, and construction of a new play structure is scheduled to begin next week.
At a Peninsula Township Board meeting in July, the Board voted unanimously to replace the aging, unsafe equipment that’s been at the beach for some 30 years.
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Parks Committee members Beth Karczewski, Don Atkinson and Eric Dreier are spearheading the project, which will be constructed of steel and aluminum, with a base of engineered wood chips. After reviewing three bids earlier this year, the contract was awarded to Sinclair Recreation of Holland, Michigan.
Beth said they’re planning a ribbon-cutting ceremony at some point; we’ll keep you posted here on the Gazette when they firm up the date. “We are very happy that this project is moving forward!” she said.
Suitable for kids aged 2 to 12 years old, the new structure 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.
At the July meeting, 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.”
Once the Haserot Beach structure is completed, the Parks Committee anticipates moving on to Bowers Harbor Park, which is also in need of new playground equipment.
Many thanks to Roving Gazette Photographer Morgan Leigh Kelsey for the playground deconstruction photos.
Thanks to everyone who worked to make this happen! We loved the old structure when it was built, but times change and we are so excited about this new, fun one!
[…] file this in the “Wow, that happened fast” file. We’d no sooner posted a photo of the old (crumbling and unsafe) play structure at Haserot Beach coming down, and a few days […]