Wellsville Council Property Committee

Friday - April 16: Wellsville's Council Property Committee held a meeting this past Friday at Village Hall. Present at the meeting was Property Committee Chairwoman Susan Haugh and Committee Member Rosie Goss. Also present was Village Administrator Jim Saracco and Paul Burke of Anderson Recreational Design. The purpose of the meeting was to how best to use a grant for playground equipment.

The Village has been awarded an $18,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to be used for new playground equipment for the 18th St. Playground. The grant has a 25% match which means the Village will have to come up with around $4,500 to add to it. The grant stipulates it can only be used for 18th St. The grant has to be used by the end of the year with work started no later than June 30. Mrs. Haugh stated the Village does not have the funds for the matching amount but feels confident the community will come through with helping to raise the amount. It's for the children. Aside from the new equipment for 18th St., it is hoped to enroll the Medina firm's expertise in moving and installing the donated playground equipment from the old McDonald School to the Jim Kenney Center.

Mr. Paul Burke of Anderson Recreational Design was on hand to advise what has to be done and what is available for the money involved. Burke stated there are three things to consider: the cost of the equipment, safety surfacing and installation. Of the three installation offers the best opportunity to get more for your money. With volunteer help from the community to unload and inventory the equipment and doing site preparation his company can come in and have it installed in one day. To be covered by insurance the installation has to be done by licensed installers. Burke said most communities he has worked with has gotten the cement to anchor the equipment donated. Using a crew of four it would cost $1,600 to $1,700 for labor to install the new equipment with the help of volunteers. To have a certified supervisor on hand to oversee the relocation of the other equipment would cost $850 during a week day or $1,000 if it is done on a Saturday.

Site preparation includes digging and leveling holes for the equipment to be anchored and digging out areas for safety surfacing and access routes. The safety surfacing involves compressing 16" of material down to 12" with drainage. The most economical safety surface is engineered wood fiber. Routes from the playground entrance to the equipment must made accessible for children with disabilities.

All new equipment has to be in compliance with standards from the Consumer Products Safety Commission, ASTM and Americans with Disabilties Act.

Following the meeting the Committee took Burke on a tour of the playground. He will prepare a couple of proposals and another meeting will be scheduled. After placing an order it is estimated to take four weeks to have the job done.

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