$28,000 in new play equipment for Library Park installed, ready for fun
LAKEPORT – It”s official. The newly installed playground equipment at Library Park is open for the serious business of childhood play after a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday morning.
New York actor and former Calvin Klein underwear model Justin Lazard donated the $28,000 Grand Teton playground equipment after visiting last year. Children have been able to play on the new equipment since mid-December, when city staff and Creative Playthings of Farmingham, Mass. finished installing it. Remarks at the ribbon-cutting ceremony were simple and to the point.
“We want to thank Justin Lazard for his generous contribution,” Lakeport Parks and Recreation Committee Commissioner Cindy Ustrud said.
The playground bears a bronze plaque that reads, “This playground is dedicated to the children of Lakeport, Ca, Creating Childhood Memories, Donated by Justin Lazard, 2008″ and the company”s name.
Ustrud and committee Chairwoman Lynn Andre were present to cut the ribbon at 11 a.m. Monday, marking the official opening. Clearlake resident Andrew Fowler, age 2, became the first playground patron after the ceremony.
Staff from Lakeport”s Public Works Department and Parks Department helped install the equipment during December”s coldest temperatures in order to have the equipment ready by springtime.
“It was fun,” Lakeport Public Works Foreman Bob Barthel said.
Lakeport Public Works Department and Parks Department employees Matt Hartzog, Chris Johnson, Andres Gonzales and Richard Lubeck also helped install the equipment.
Lakeport Public Works Leadsman Craig Timm said installation took approximately two weeks because of the weather and the time it took to haul an estimated 200 tons of sand out of the area surrounding the new equipment.
Wood chips that now surround the playground area can accommodate wheelchairs and bring the park”s playground into compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. The old equipment, installed in 1990, was not ADA-compliant.
Lakeport Public Works Superintendent Doug Grider said previously that the city had been looking to replace the equipment for the past five years, but could not afford to do so.
The new equipment is made of a sturdy, plastic and wood composite material that includes 60 percent recycled wood chips, according to Creative Playthings Vice President of Commercial Sales Vito Parisi. Its surface is stamped so that it looks and feels like wood, but is not subject to splintering or warping, according to Parisi.
Contact Tiffany Revelle at trevelle@record-bee.com, or call her directly at 263-5636 ext. 37.
