Park staff inspecting deteriorating equipment

Safety and update concerns at Superior City Parks

By Sandra Foote

The Superior park employees look for safety issues when it comes to the parks’ play sets. They are fixed and the screws are tightened to maintain the structural function of the park swings, slides, teeter totter and other play structures. While the employees were assembling the Expression Swings, Scott Butler was looking at the other equipment and thinking how old some of the structures are. He was also thinking about the condition. Though the parks are maintained and cleaned, there have not been any real improvements for the last 12 years, according to Scott Butler.

He has been the park and cemetery supervisor for 12 years. In that time, he hasn’t seen any additions or changes to the parks except for the renovation of the band shell and the 4-square court which is a couple years old. Although the city employees fix, clean and maintain the parks, they do not have the resources to buy new play sets, slides and swings.

Butler has noticed deterioration of some of the equipment in City Park. Eight swing seats need to be replaced. The swing hangers are becoming corroded and need to be replaced for safety. The north playset is in bad condition and needs to be replaced. Rubber curbing needs added around the playsets.

Lincoln Park is not handicap accessible or ADA compliant. Improvements there are needed as well. Butler wants to put a sidewalk from the street to the shelter in Lincoln Park.

The Lincoln Park pond will not be stocked with fish this year. The Game and Parks representative said it is not fit for fish to live in.

Daily and weekly maintenance has been ongoing.

Any clubs and individuals who would like to invest in the Superior community, are invited to consider helping the parks. The park board meets once a month at the library and the meetings are open to the public.