Mercerdale Playground Renovation Project

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Consultation has concluded


Mercerdale Park playground ("Train Park") is now open! Note that crews will be finishing the final touches over the next few weeks, but the playground is available for use.

Playground Completion is Delayed until Spring

The Mercerdale Park playground equipment installation is delayed again. Continuing record cold weather has slowed site work and prevents us from installing the new playground surfacing until the weather cooperates. Dry weather and nighttime low temps that stay consistently above 45 degrees are key to the success of the rubber surfacing.

Last fall, manufacturing and supply chain issues delayed the arrival of equipment. Playworld, the


Mercerdale Park playground ("Train Park") is now open! Note that crews will be finishing the final touches over the next few weeks, but the playground is available for use.

Playground Completion is Delayed until Spring

The Mercerdale Park playground equipment installation is delayed again. Continuing record cold weather has slowed site work and prevents us from installing the new playground surfacing until the weather cooperates. Dry weather and nighttime low temps that stay consistently above 45 degrees are key to the success of the rubber surfacing.

Last fall, manufacturing and supply chain issues delayed the arrival of equipment. Playworld, the manufacturer of the playground equipment, experienced a significant fire at their plant in early May. News story here. We received equipment in December, and our equipment is now installed. 

Our partner, Mercer Island Preschool Association supported this project from the beginning. MIPA has contributed and raised over $54,000 for the project. Way to go MIPA! 

Why is the City Replacing the Playground Equipment?

The existing playground is 19 years old, and the equipment is at the end of its useful life. The groundcover chips have also broken down and are clogging the drainage system. The level of the play surface will be raised to meet the top of the existing concrete edging to improve accessibility, but the edging, seating and landscaping will remain in place.

Consultation has concluded

What would you like to know about the new playground design?

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    April 1: With the rubber surfacing, is the playground company responsible or is the City responsible for the drainage, and what is entailed with the rubber playground installation versus wood chip drainage installation? And what are the proposed costs for the rubber playground? - submitted by S. Fletcher

    almost 3 years ago

    There are three choices for playground surfacing we are considering: resilient rubber, synthetic turf and engineered wood fiber (wood chips). Regardless of the surfacing we choose, the company that installs the playground will be responsible for also installing the surfacing and the drainage beneath. These need to be installed together in a coordinated fashion so that they work properly. The rubber playground surfacing is also called "poured in place" surfacing because it is a granular rubber that is mixed with binders that is molded around the equipment, in contrast to rubber mats that are manufactured off-site. The synthetic turf is a "rug" that is installed over padding with a coated sand that fills in around the base of the grass blades. All of these surfaces are permeable. Rain drains through the surfacing and is allowed to percolate into the soil beneath. An underground drain system siphons off any water that does not percolate into the soil.

    None of these products expose playground users to crumb rubber, the ground-up tire material that has been a health concern in the news. The resilient rubber surfacing uses virgin material in the top course. Once the binder is allowed to cure, there is no leaching or off-gassing. You can experience this at the playground at Luther Burbank Park. It has been a successful play surface for almost ten years.

    The wood chip material is the cheapest material to install. However, it is not an accessible surface for wheelchairs and people with mobility issues. The resilient rubber surfacing is more expensive. We are estimating that the cost difference is approximately $83,000. There is almost no maintenance required with the rubber surface, based on our experience at Luther Burbank Park. The wood chips need to be fluffed up several times a year and replenished almost every year because they break down over time. Each replenishment costs $2,000 to $3,000, so over a 20 year lifespan that becomes significant.