By Daniela Julio-Cano, FOX23 News
A longtime playground at Heritage Park is closed after the City of Sapulpa determined its wooden structure is no longer safe for children to use.
The playground has been part of the community for more than 20 years.
It was built during the 2005 Big Build and received a major renovation in 2015.
For Sapulpa resident Andy Weinstock, the park has also been a gathering place for his family.
His six children, ranging in age from one to 17, have spent years playing there.
“This has been a good meeting place for us,” shared Weinstock. “We love this park.”
The city closed the playground on Sept. 25 after Parks and Recreation staff discovered part of the structure had deteriorated to the point that it could no longer safely hold a board in place.
Susan Bencke, Sapulpa’s Recreation Director, said the biggest concern is the structural wood supporting the playground, much of which is not visible.
“It’s that structural wood that we’re concerned about, the wood that you can’t see,” explained Bencke.
Bencke said the city has made repairs and replaced boards over the years, but the deterioration has reached a point where continued repairs are no longer enough.
The city had previously applied for a grant in hopes of getting funding to begin rebuilding the playground, but it was not selected.
A replacement playground of this size could cost between $500,000 and $1 million, according to the city.
The cost has residents wondering how they can help.
Weinstock said, “We just need to keep the park, so hopefully we can get some resources for that.”
Weinstock also said he would be willing to contribute to a community effort to rebuild the playground.
“Absolutely. I got $10 on it right now.”
The Sapulpa Parks Friends Foundation, the nonprofit arm of the Parks Department, is also working on how to move forward with the effort.
The city plans to continue pursuing grants and other funding opportunities.
Bencke said a future playground does not necessarily have to recreate the existing structure.
Instead, the city wants to consider what current children and families would like to see in a new park.
“Let’s make a park for them and let’s let them make memories in their park,” said Bencke.
For now, the playground remains closed while the city works on funding options and plans for its future.
