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Politics & Government

Mendota Heights Inching Toward Kensington Playground Plan

Kensington plans hampered by limited resident input, funding setback.

Between a cold and rainy and the late spring, the Mendota Heights parks and recreation commission is still scrambling to garner ideas for the playground reconstruction.

The commission also received a blow to the project budget. Originally, federal grant money earmarked for accessibility was going to be used for the playground surface. However, this application of the funds is not within the parameters of the grant.  

The reduced budget steered commission members toward engineered wood fiber surfacing in lieu of rubber tile or poured rubber.

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“That’s $16,000 just in surface,” commission member Tom Krause said. The fiber, as the least expensive option, will still swallow up a large chunk of the $52,000 playground reconstruction budget.

 The playground, targeted because of its outdated equipment and crumbling paint, is slated for a reconstruction this fall. 

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An open house could have brought residents together to discuss playground ideas, but cold and rain have kept families away from the parks.

“We need to decide: What is our priority on this project right now?” assistant to the city administrator Jake Sedlacek asked the commission at its May 10 meeting. “Is it about getting feedback at this point or is it about getting it done this year?”

The commission remains set on gathering resident input even if it may mean playground construction would be delayed by a month or more.

While commission members seek additional resident feedback, Mendota Heights staff will move forward on requesting proposals from the six major local playground vendors.

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