New play equipment to be installed at Soroptimist Park

The play equipment at Soroptimist Park in Whitefish should be in a 1980s time capsule — right next to a VHS copy of “The Goonies” and Bo Jackson’s rookie card.

The chain link swing set, dizzyingly dangerous merry-go-round, and rusted climbing apparatus conjure up fond memories for any child of the Reagan years. They don’t make play equipment like they used to — and likely for good reason.

Whitefish’s Parks and Recreation Department says an upgrade to the 30-year-old play equipment at Soroptimist is well past due in order to keep up with new safety guidelines.

Last week the city approved the purchase of all new play equipment for the 1 acre park in the City Beach neighborhood at a cost of about $57,600.

“It’s well overdue and time to take care of this,” Park board member Ron Brunk told city council.

According to parks director Karl Cozad, the equipment is showing signs of failure from its age and use. The only way to meet new safety standards, he said, is to bring in new equipment.

Neighborhood residents have contributed to a new design plan for the updated playground, which will be surrounded with a fall-safe material.

According to a recent study on Whitefish parks, the City Beach neighborhood is home to a substantial number of families with children under the age of 12.

“There exists a strong sense of ownership of the park by those individuals who reside closest to the park,” Cozad said.

He said the neighborhood has showed a renewed excitement about the park.

“It is certainly our hope that with this investment in replacing the play equipment that additional volunteer driven improvements will be made at Soroptimist Park.”