HOWARD, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Children lined up Wednesday — not just for their turn on the slide at the playground — but also to cast their vote on the future of Pamperin Park.
The playground has been a community staple for over 25 years. Its age brings strong sentimental value but also calls for revitalization, according to park staff.
Two design options were available for community members to vote on.
“Our two designs, one we have a larger net course, and it’s like a climb and race kind of course. The other design has a swing glide to it where you sit on a swing, and then it glides on a track,” said Brown County Parks Department Business Manager Nicole Hilker.
Hilker tells FOX 11 the current playground is past its useful life.
“I know everyone likes to think playgrounds last forever but, unfortunately, they don’t — especially wood structures. They tend to warp, they tend to pull apart, they tend to have areas where they become unsafe.”
Some kids aren’t happy with either option.
“I wish there was an option three where they just could remake the park since it’s damaged — they could just remake it the same,” said Benny Hendricks.
“It wouldn’t be worth it […] You wouldn’t want to piece together something that’s brand new with something that’s 25-plus years old; the cost to do so would just negate itself,” said Hilker.
Many parents and kids reminisced at Wednesday’s event about all the things they’ll miss at Pamperin Park’s historic wood playground.
“My kids come here, we play hide and seek — there’s a lot of good hiding places,” said Matthew Jump.
“It was just a get together spot where we could all hangout. It was really nice,” commented Anna Hendricks.
“We had our family pictures taken here, so all of the kids have been here,” reminisced Norma Laplante.
Many of the people who came out hope some of the old woodwork will be left behind.
“We do have some ideas that we may need to keep some of the more memorable pieces, and we may need to incorporate those somehow,” said Brown County Parks Director Matt Kriese.
The playground is expected to be done in May of 2023, just in time for summer. Brown County Parks officials say the new park will cost about $500,000.
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