City Council approves new Boone Park playground

Posted on May 4, 2016 By Editor Articles, Neighborhood News, Top Stories

The Explorer Dome has no prescribed climbing routes, stretching the imagination as children figure out how to get from one part of the structure to another.

Jacksonville City Council approved the appropriation of $255,000 from three sources for contribution towards the installation of a new playscape in Boone Park South (located at the corner of St. Johns and Van Wert Avenues).

District 14 Councilman Jim Love allocated $90,000 from District 14 Bond Funds, $75,000 will come from the Countywide Parks – Upgrades/Maintenance Repairs Account and $90,000 has been donated from Friends of Jacksonville Parks.

“The news on the playground is great!” said Kim Clontz, the Avondale resident who spearheaded the fundraising effort for the contribution from the nonprofit Friends of Jacksonville Parks. “I would like to extend a huge ‘thank you’ to all the donors who helped not only raise $90,000 but the extra $10,000 we need for reserves if we run into any construction overages.”

The bill (2016-144) required to appropriate city funds to be used for the playground was unanimously approved April 12 by City Council members. The mayor signed the bill, which is moving to procurement to place the order for the playground equipment, according to Clontz.
It takes approximately 12 weeks to receive the equipment. Demolition and installation take only about two weeks, so Clontz said she expects a late July grand opening.

The ordinance also authorized an agreement with Kompan, Inc. to install the equipment without competitive solicitation because the playscape equipment is uniquely provided by Kompan. The Washington-based playground equipment company was formed in 1970 in Denmark and has been marketed in the United States since 1987.

By Kate A. Hallock
Resident Community News