The anticipated construction of a playground at Joe Rowell Park is moving ahead, but with delays caused by the coronavirus breakout.
The $280,000 playground project was recently awarded a $173,400 Great Outdoors Colorado grant. It also received an $80,000 grant from Kaboom!
Two companies will build the playground on 9,500 square feet at the former playground location. Kaboom! will install equipment for children ages 2-5 on 2,500 square feet, and Play by Design will install equipment for ages 5-12 on 7,000 square feet. Both projects are planned as community builds with volunteers supervised by construction managers.
A Kaboom! design day involving local kids on April 2 will be rescheduled for late May. That portion of the playground is expected to be installed in July.
The Play by Design portion of the project is still planned for June 9-14, according to town officials.
“Current projections for the virus in our area indicate that it is quite possible restrictions on gatherings will be lifted in time for these build dates,” according to town statement. “We must remain fluid in our planning and if, as we approach these dates, there is any concern about community health relative to the build, we will change dates as necessary.”
Play by Design has ordered initial equipment for the project, and delivery is 4-6 weeks out. An in-person preconstruction meeting on April 10 will be conducted by phone and video.
Play by Design owner Lee Archin will visit the playground site in early April to gather information for contractors.
More than 100 volunteers are needed to assist with the playground build, and information on how to sign up will be released soon. The construction timeline may need to be adjusted so it can occur when the coronavirus outbreak lets up and requirements about social distancing and group gatherings are lifted.
Clay and Megan Tallmadge of Pleasant Tree Farms in Dolores plan to plant trees to enhance the natural element of the playground area and to provide shade. Both elements were priorities in a playground survey.
The Dolores Playground Group continues to raise money for the project.
To contribute, go to the Onward! A Legacy Foundation website and hit the “donate now” button, scroll down to the Dolores Playground Group and enter an amount.