Happening Now Laurelhurst Elementary Playground Renovations

 

The north and south playgrounds at Laurelhurst Elementary School are going through some renovations this summer.  

Seattle Public Schools is planning to replace the north play area equipment and will be making a few modifications to the south play area equipment. 

The last modifications to the north playground were in 2012.

Here is what a representative with SPS Capital Projects conveyed to the Laurelhurst Blog staff:

The north playground is being replaced due to the age of the equipment. It was installed in 1994, with additional play equipment and a smaller area created just south of it in 2012.  The structure is being replaced now because the overall age of the structure makes it due for replacement. The district makes every effort to replace structures around 15 years of age, which is the typical lifespan of this equipment.    

The work was included as part of the BEX V levy that was approved by voters in February 2019. The expansion and additional play equipment added in 2012 was funded by a grant from the City of Seattle and the Laurelhurst PTA. 

The new equipment is scheduled to arrive at the end of this month, with installation scheduled for mid-August and engineered wood fiber safety material installed at the end of August. Construction activities are currently planned to be complete prior to the start of school. Conrad Plyler, coped here, is the project manager overseeing this effort.

Engineered Wood Fiber (EWF) is a wood fiber safety surface. It is what was used on the prior play area. It differs from wood chip in that it doesn’t have splinters.

The equipment was removed in July since the contractor had an opening to perform this work. We are doing everything possible to ensure that the playground is complete by the time that school starts. Sometimes this means performing the demolition earlier than usual.

We are removing a few pieces from the south play area. Specifically, the Principal asked that we remove the overhead spinning piece, since kids have been flung off of it and gotten hurt. There are also a few pieces at the west end of the play equipment that are unsafe. These will be removed as well, as requested by the principal.

We are working to get the playgrounds open as soon as possible. However, based on the current schedule, the playgrounds will likely be open just prior to the start of school on September 7th.