Oxford Park Playground Improvements

As part of Parks & Recreation’s 2021 Capital Improvement Program, the playground at Oxford Park is scheduled for replacement. In advance of construction–expected to be complete in November 2021–the department will be working with residents to help design the new equipment. The funding for this project includes a $10,640 NatureWorks Grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

In mid-February, a letter was sent to all residents living within a half mile of Oxford Park to seek feedback from children and adults as to what features the new Oxford Park playground should offer. The surveys were available online from February 16-March 16. Ten children completed the worksheet and 69 adults participated in the online survey. Below are some of the key findings:

• Survey respondents overwhelmingly ranked a Climbing Wall as the most important freestanding play feature with 62% of respondents. Other responses include See Saw (28%) and Spring Rider (20%)
• Toddler Play ranked as the most important play activity (42%) followed closely by an Open Slide (41%). Other important play activities were Bridge (29%), Rope Climber (28%) and Tube Slide (23%).
• Belt Swings (57%), a Saucer Swing (51%), and Toddler Swings (38%) were ranked most important.
• Several open ended comments indicated that Monkey Bars, Swings and Slides are the best part of the existing playground. Comments also indicated that separate play areas for older and younger kids are important as are the trees, shade and open green space.
• Flooding and traffic were the least favorite parts of the park. Several respondents indicated that the current playground was geared too much toward younger kids. Some also suggested the need for path connections to McCoy and Edgehill Drive.

Now that the initial survey is complete, the Parks & Recreation Department will work with the playground vendor, Snider Recreation, to develop at least three design options (3D renderings) based on the community input received from the initial survey. We expect to have the renderings by mid-April and will share with the wider community to provide input on their favorite option. It is anticipated that a final design will be complete by late June with the demolition and replacement of the existing playground scheduled to begin in late July.