Salem Public Works Director Annette Brushwitz says work is well underway on installation of the new inclusive playground in Bryan Memorial Park with additional improvements planned before winter.
Brushwitz recently walked the area around the Lion’s Addie and Friends Inclusive Playground with Lion’s Club President Shelly McIntosh looking for locations for new picnic shelters.
“Right now they have enough money still in their fund to provide 2 shelters and of course the city will work with them on funding for concrete and things like that. We will do what we can to make that happen in a timely fashion. I’m hoping that when they are finished building the playground itself, we can get started on pouring concrete for sidewalks and shelters so it will be a complete project by the fall.”
Brushwitz says if the Lions Club still has money available in the playground fund after the two large shelters, she’d like to see some small shelters to cover single picnic tables. Brushwitz says the city has already purchased some picnic tables and benches that could be utilized in the new small shelters.
Brushwitz says other amenities are also still expected to be added this year.
“We have the Gaga Pit to still install. That’s actually right now we are looking at going on the East side of the inclusive playground so we are really waiting for that project to be completed so we can get that done. We got sand volleyball to get installed, 2 batting cages we need to get ordered, and then the rest of the fitness equipment and more park benches and trash cans on that side of the park.”
Brushwitz says with the success of new lighting on Playground Hill, she’s hoping to get electric to the North College Street side of the park so lighting can be added to the walking trail and fitness equipment to allow it to be used for longer hours.
