Upgrades Planned For Parks -- Hollywood Approves Soft Surfaces, Shade

Courtesy of the Sun-Sentinel
Written by Carrie Ann Perez
November 27, 2005

Hollywood · Some city parks will get new surfaces for their playgrounds as well as shade structures under a plan recently approved by city commissioners.

Nine parks will get playground surfacing, similar to artificial turf, at a cost of $208,813.70. Six parks will get shade structures at a cost of $137,809.25. Funding is coming from a bond issue approved last year by city voters.

Many of the parks now have sand or wood chips as surfacing under playground equipment, and both can be pretty messy in wet weather. The artificial turf is "resilient," said Jack Mathison, assistant director of the city's parks department.

It has a high "fall rating," which means children can fall from a height of up to 12 feet onto the surface without getting injured, he said.

The material is set down on top of a series of layers of rocks, rubber chunks and mats, which allow for drainage.

The turf has a combination of curly and straight blades to allow it to "bounce" when someone lands on it. The layers of surfacing underneath also create "give," allowing for softer landings, Mathison said.

"The turf is easy to repair. It doesn't fade and has a 10- to 12-year lifespan," he said. "It's a good investment."

The parks chosen for shade structures are Bicentennial, Cathy and Bob Anderson, Zinkil, Mara Berman Giulianti, Fletcher and Harry Barry. They were chosen because they have fewer trees or other structures to provide shade.

The city contracted Superior Park Systems of Hollywood for the park projects, Mathison said.

Playground safety

The nine parks getting new playground safety surfaces are:

Bicentennial, Farragut Street and 74th Avenue
Carlton Montayne, Garfield Street and 62nd Avenue
Cathy and Bob Anderson, Thomas Street and 58th Avenue
David, 108 N. 33rd Court
Eppelman, Tyler Street and Seventh Avenue
Fletcher, Fletcher Street and 56th Avenue
Harry Barry, Azalea Court and Surf Road
John B. Kooser Memorial, Polk Street and 14th Avenue
Zinkil, Washington Street and 56th Avenue