May won’t just be bringing flowers in Oakmont this year.
It will also bring a refurbished children’s playground in Riverside Park.
The park’s playground closed last week to undergo significant refurbishment, according to a post from borough officials.
“Anticipated to reopen by the end of May, the new design will cater to children of all ages and abilities, eliminating bark mulch surfaces and elevation changes for enhanced accessibility,” the post said.
Park additions include a universal carousel — a ground-level carousel with a bench that eliminates the need for users to step up on the platform to spin around — and a ramp-accessible jungle gym. The adaptations accommodate different levels of mobility.
Children will also be able to play on a six-bay swing set, a new seesaw, a springer and a multiplay equipment piece that includes climbing spots and slides.
According to borough manager Scot Fodi, the plan to improve the playground has been in place since before he was hired in 2019.
“The equipment was starting to show signs of aging,” Fodi said.
Not only does the plan increase inclusivity for play, it also allows for easier care for the playground itself.
“Maintenance will drop significantly without the bark mulch,” Fodi said.
Fodi said the project has been a culmination of ideas and work of the borough’s recreation board, engineer, council and community. The park’s walking trail is expected to remain open during the work.
The plan does call for removing the water fountain built into the figure of a lion. Fodi said the fountain has not worked for quite some time and the parts needed to repair it are discontinued.
The famous fountain is not gone for good, however. Borough leaders are brainstorming a new home for the lion after it’s cleaned up and refurbished.
The project is expected to cost a little over $500,000. The work is being paid for by a $600,000 state grant. The remainder of the grant went toward fixing up the park’s northern entrance.
“The public will be able to see the progress as it goes on,” Fodi said.
