Why is this playground apparatus chained up like a White Elephant
The above pictures were taken on July 22, 2016
On April 21, 2016 a city official commented “This swing opened up in my city last Saturday, it was a Girl Scout Silver Award project”.
(April 21st was a Thursday making the re-opening of this swing April 16th)
Excuse me?
The first time this project was done, incorrectly, it was a scout project.
Despite what city officials claim, it was removed on a Sunday morning in October of 2014 after it failed an inspection by a Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) hired by the city when deficiencies were reported to the city’s insurance carrier.
The removal of this apparatus occurred a mere 22 days after installation as the ribbon cutting ceremony happened on September 27, 2014.
Below is a PDF of the inspection report
wheelchair playground summary 10-19-2014 Draft
The gist of the report was that the Wheelchair Swing did not meet safety standards
Freedom Redux
This time it cost the citizens of this community $34,000 from Developer Impact Fee Fund Account 460. The contractor was paid $31,573.80 which was listed in the City Council Agenda Packet of June 8, 2016 Item #1.6 of the consent calendar as the Marna O’Brien Park ADA Swing Re-Installation Project (CIP 036)
(The $2,426.20 above the $31,573.80 paid the contractor was attributed to construction management and inspection bringing the total to $34,000.00)
When the bids were accepted the city engineers estimate was $25,000.00
Inspection did not include another Certified Playground Safety Inspection as a copy of such an inspection was requested on June 8, 2016, acknowledged by the city clerk on June 9, 2016 with a reply promised no late than June 20, 2016.
(I am still waiting for the report and its almost August)
Pictures taken on numerous days and times since show the swing locked to its frame and the gate on the surrounding enclosure padlocked as well. All photos were taken during normal business hours of parks operations.
Starting on May 22 at 8:30 am
Again on July 11th at 8:42 am
The same goes for July 14, 20, 22, etc.
This swing appears to be shackled unless a city official is on hand for a photo op.
More questions need to be asked such as:
1. Why does an adult need another adult to supervise them on this swing. (Assuming they can
access this device)
The apparatus according to the Bid Packet (and the Manufacturer) is list as an “Adult Wheelchair Swing” able to accommodate Juvenile, Adult and Motorized Wheelchairs.
Not only is this apparatus chained up every day making it inaccessible but it also continues the reliance on another person to enjoy it.
2. When the original installation of the Freedom Swing was completed with
volunteer labor in its previous location, in the existing Tot-Lot, the ADA ramp
that allows children in wheelchairs and with other disabilities to utilize the
equipment was removed, replaced by a concrete slab. With the Freedom
Swing now located in another location why was the ADA compliant ramp not
returned to the Tot-Lot. As it sits right now children with disabilities can not
access the Playground Equipment in the Tot-Lot which meets ADA requirements.
Maybe its time for city officials to quit patting themselves on the back for a job not so well done.
It is also time for the citizens of this community to start caring about where the precious few dollars are spent.