Playground equipment approved

The Corning City Council has approved the purchase of playground equipment, rubber bark, and a gazebo for phase one of the Community Park project.

A $113,645 purchase agreement was approved with National Playground Compliance Group for the playground equipment.

The company is providing six park benches to the project, which will save the city $650.

The city has agreed to purchase $94,761 in products from NSP3 for the project. That agreement includes a gazebo and installation at a cost of $58,536, and $36,225 worth of rubber bark for the playground floor.

Both companies have agreed to store the products until it is time for installation.

City Planner John Stoufer said he is very grateful to the Recreation Commission for its hours of research into getting the best deals for the city, and the community’s involvement in the process.

“The playground equipment has unique features and is considered the new look for playgrounds. It has a lot of climbing and physical activity components,” he said.

Made possible through a $4.3 million state grant, the Community Park will also be home to century-old olive trees, a bike and skateboard park, soccer fields, basketball/handball court, bathrooms, picnic and barbecue areas, snack bar, equipment storage, walking/jogging paths, and parking lots.

The 18.5 acre park is located along Jewitt Creek east of Toomes Avenue and west of Houghton Avenue and north and south of Fig Lane.

Corning’s was one of 62 applications selected for special state funding from a pool of almost 500 applicants, and is the only city in the North State to receive a grant from those applications.