It wasn’t the sound of a train, but instead the rumble of a construction crew involved in the demolition of the Mercerdale Park playground on Sept. 2.
Known as “Train Park” because of its signature pint-sized feature, the 5,000-square-foot playground was shuttered in January partly because the 19-year-old equipment was no longer usable. The city also had safety concerns regarding persistent standing water from clogged drainage by decomposing wood chips.
The renovation project set to feature a miniature train in addition to new play equipment, drainage and a play surface was initially scheduled to be complete by late summer. However, a significant fire at the playground equipment manufacturer’s factory in the spring has delayed the delivery of the pieces to the Island, according to City Manager Jessi Bon in her report at the Aug. 31 city council meeting.
With manufacturing lines recently reopened and workers logging extended hours to play catch-up, the Mercerdale equipment will soon be rolling along the production line with a current delivery estimate set for October.
“If you’ve been out to the site, we are starting to do some prep and we will be ready to get that equipment in as it arrives here on Mercer Island,” Bon said.
In May, city council voted to accept the playground renovation project proposed design and approve the amended project budget of $843,000. Additionally, council voted to accept a $20,000 donation from the Mercer Island Preschool Association (MIPA) to go toward the project.
OTHER NEWS
Over at the Mercer Island Thrift Shop, the city has reinstated a capacity ceiling of 75% as a COVID-19 protective measure, and its emergency staff communicates almost daily with Public Health — Seattle & King County if they need to implement any further changes, Bon said.
“This just ensures that everyone in that building have enough space to move around — the staff, the volunteers and certainly our patrons that are so generous in shopping with us,” Bon said.
Shop doors are open for fresh air circulation, masks are available for customers who haven’t brought one, and staff continues to regularly clean and sanitize the space.
Also to protect against COVID, the city has delayed its restart of facility rentals and expanding more indoor programs. Outdoor field reservations and open gym drop-in activities at the community center will continue for now.
Future activities on the docket are the community hosted Pumpkin Walk and the Illuminate MI holiday lights event, Bon said.
Mayor Benson Wong praised Bon and the city staff for their diligence in moving the city forward around the roadblocks of the ongoing pandemic.
“On behalf of the city council, I just really want to thank you and the staff for continuing to show flexibility and being nimble and providing services to the community given what’s going on with the pandemic. This ever-changing circumstance that we find ourselves in, you guys are up to the task,” he said.
