The total budget for the project is $250,000. Additional funds are available for park deconstruction. No FEMA funds are available from FEMA for storm damage from Gaston; these funds were used for wall construction only. More funding could be made available through grants. Mr. Pope, director of Parks & Recreation, said that some funds originally slated for individual parks renovations like Chimborazo have been redirected into the City of the Future Master Plan in response to public demand throughout the city. He also indicated that the smaller budget of $250K would mean the renovations would be made sequentially, according to some priority list. [updates in blue]

The Friends of Chimborazo Playground presented a quick overview highlighting some of the problems facing the park now, including lack of lighting, drug use, prostitution, graffiti, and other safety and health issues. We shared ideas from the community about what we’d like to see in the park, such as:

• age-appropriate playground equipment for toddlers and preschoolers
• water features, including water and drinking fountains
• community gardens
• recycling bins
• bike racks
• additional petanque courts
• a petanque scoreboard
• public art, such as sculptures and murals
• and more

BAM architects then presented their ideas for the future. [Note: We will post complete presentation here as soon as it's available.] Some of the major points covered include:

• Upgrade alley that runs between 29th and 31st Streets
• Demolish parkhouse
• Upgrade signage
• Install new lighting to address safety issues; improve usage
• Create “natural playgrounds” that integrate natural elements
• Add a water feature, integrate with play area
• All trees will remain, and new ones will be planted

The design team then presented five different design schemes showing various methods for organizing activity zones, including:

• basketball
• tennis
• petanque
• playground
• pavilion
• lawn
• community gardens
• skateboarding

No single design was chosen over any other. The only suggestion made was to place the tennis courts and basketball at opposite ends of the playground. Others noted that costs would be high for relocating courts. The community is encouraged to review the designs online when available and provide feedback through the comments on this website.

Other points of interest:

• Community gardens: 10-15 garden plots are needed, with water and truck access
• Petanque courts: 5 courts total needed, with the ability to expand to 8 courts with gravel surfaces 4 meters wide for tournaments.
• Basketball courts: 2 courts needed
• Tennis courts: 1 court needed, with a tennis wall for solo players
• Restrooms: Debatable. Restrooms present crime and maintenance issues, though they are much needed by park users. Suggestions included pay-per-use bathrooms or combination locks.
• Green space: cistern to collect water from water park/play area to water community gardens. Composting toilets. Recycling bins (though collection issues exist)
• Signage: direct to Libby Hill, Greater Chimborazo Park and the new dog park.

The design firm hopes to complete schematic drafts by the end of June and hold the final focus group meeting shortly afterwards.

A meeting of interested parties/groups was suggested to meet in the near future to try to come up with a consensus for a playground design using the five designs provided by BAM as guidelines. This design will be provided to BAM for their next step in the design process. If you’re interested in attending this meeting, please contact bridgette[at]imaginechimbo.org.

For more information about petanque in Chimborazo Playground, visit Les Boulefrogs of Church Hill’s website.