By Jim Bloch
Two of Port Huron’s numerous parks will get new playscapes in the near future.
The city council approved two contracts with Penchura, the Brighton-based playground company, to build new playscapes in the city’s Pine Grove Park on the St. Clair River and in Renaissance South Tot Park, a compact recreation area on Ashland Court on the south side of the city.
The council took the action at its regular meeting Aug. 14.
The new playscape in Pine Grove Park will cost $507,171. The Renaissance Park playscape with cost $85,618.
The city maintains more than two dozen recreational areas — parks, beaches, marinas, scenic turnouts or nature areas.
Pine Grove Park
“As one of our notable keynote parks, the current playscape is outdated and in need of replacement,” said City Manager James Freed in his memo to Mayor Pauline Repp and the council. “The proposed playscape has accessibility features, a communication board, and climbing features. The playscape is designed as a boat passing under the bridge to pay homage to the park that overlooks the St. Clair River… Funding will come from both the American Rescue Plan dollars, donations, and the general fund.”
The playground equipment includes two mounds with play equipment, the custom boat theme structure with a plank bridge access ramp, a two-bay swing with tot add-on, and the communication board, for a total $237,253, which includes shipping cost of $13.540.Â
The new playscape designed for Renaissance Park.
Installation of the equipment — building the mounds, buying and installing the artificial turf, engineered wood fiber and poured-in-place safety surfacing — comes to $269,918.
Renaissance Park
“The Port Huron Parks and Recreation Department is seeking to replace the outdated play equipment that is currently at Renaissance Park,” said Freed in his memo to the mayor and council. “This playscape feature is aimed at children 5-12 years old, giving the surrounding neighborhood and visitors to Port Huron a new and exciting play feature. The purchase of this equipment is made possible with assistance of a generous donation from the James C. Acheson Foundation.”
The TreeTops play structure and two-bay swing will cost the city $54,280.
Installation of the 80-feet by 36-feet play area, surfaced with engineered wood fiber and bordered by 57 plastic timbers — one by four feet in size — will cost $31,338.
The council voted 6-0 to accept each contract with Penchura. Councilmember Anita Ashford was absent.
Jim Bloch is a freelance writer based in St. Clair, Michigan. Contact him at bloch.jim@gmail.com.
