Upgrades Sought for Winamac Playground Equipment

Entrance to the Winamac Town Park
Entrance to the Winamac Town Park

The Town of Winamac is looking to upgrade some of its playground equipment. The park board voted Thursday to proceed with the replacement of two slides, after Park Manager Dave DeLorenzo previously voiced concerns with their condition.

The town also has plans to make its playground equipment ADA compliant. However, DeLorenzo says it would be quite a large and costly undertaking. “The big playground area that we currently have – I mean, one: you’re going to need access for a sidewalk,” he says. “And then the pea gravel’s going to have to be removed and a pad [installed]. And then, there’s no equipment there for a disabled individual to use. So it’s going to be a lot.”

Park Board President Courtney Poor says it’s important that the effort moves ahead, though. “I would think that we need to at least make a commitment in principle to investigate, once again, for grants, number one, and also for what would be needed to bring it into compliance,” Poor said.

Clerk-Treasurer Melanie Berger agreed to continue looking into potential grant opportunities, as well as specific ADA requirements. Town officials hope to work on the project over the winter.