This Merced park won't have a jungle gym for months

The playground equipment at Appleagate Park is now closed to public use because of safety concerns, according to city staffers.

The equipment, which is more than two decades old, has been fenced off from the public for that reason, according to Merced Public Works Director Ken Elwin.

“Protecting our children’s safety is our No. 1 priority,” Elwin said in a statement. “Public Works is working closely with all departments, including the police department, to ensure that our local parks stay safe at all times.”

City workers took a number of pieces of the structure down and set them on the ground, according to city staffers.

Residents reacted to the temporary closure with frustration over the state of parks around town.

“So many of the parks around town are in desperate need of repair,” Mary Guidone said on Facebook. “Rahilly (Park) is one of the better ones but still needs upgrades.”

Susanne Nunez said the Applegate equipment seemed fine beside some damage to a bridge that connects the structure to the sidewalk. Multiple readers said they’d like to see other parks prioritized before Applegate.

Another reader, Kelli DeStasio, said she hoped the city would put thought into playgrounds accessible by children with special needs. “I have a special needs son and a disabled niece who love going to the park,” she said. “(U)nfortunately, they are outgrowing the baby swings and can’t sit independently on the regular swings. Parks are for children, and no one should be left out!”

The equipment at that park is larger than many of the other parks’ structures. It’s also often busy, according to Miriam Vargas, who said she visits occasionally with her husband and toddler.

Some readers floated the idea of finding funds on their own to fix other parks’ equipment in town.

City staffers are working on options to replace the playground equipment with new features of a similar size and layout, according to a news release. They will bring the plans to the City Council at its Feb. 5 meeting.

An estimate on costs was not available on Friday. The equipment could be ready by late spring or early summer, according to staffers.

Anyone with questions about the equipment can call the Public Works Department at 209-385-6800.

This story was originally published January 19, 2018 at 4:24 PM with the headline "This Merced park won't have a jungle gym for months."