Opened in 1997 after being constructed by a committed group of volunteers, Hastings' TangleTown's towers of wood have served the community as a beloved family park and play place for 26 years. After decades of love, the park is starting to show significant signs of wear and decay. As for the future of this community gem, that's largely in the hands of residents.
"There's something inherently magical about wooden structures. Kids who grew up playing there still bring their families. The committee and I recognized that it's a very important park for a lot of people, and a lot of people were involved in the original construction..." said Sarah Moyer-Cale, Hastings City Manager. "It's still safe, but we know we need to do something in the near future.
Wood play structures like TangleTown typically have a useful life of about 15 to 20 years. TangleTown has withstood the tests of time and continues to be well-used today. However, while still safe for use, maintenance costs are increasing, and concerns from residents about children getting splinters and damage to the facility have been on the rise, say City Officials.
According to Moyer-Cale, the city doesn't know if it's cost-effective to repair it or replace it altogether and currently has no preliminary plans on the drafting board, which was what ultimately led The Hastings Park Committee to initiate a planning phase for the future of Bob King Park, including TangleTown — starting first with the public's opinion.
"We really wanted the community's feedback about what direction we should go in. Quite literally starting from scratch." Moyer-Cale continued.
Those hoping to help steer the direction of TangleTown's future are asked to complete the park committee's survey linked here. It will ask an array of questions such as 'What features or characteristics of TangleTown do you or your child enjoy?' and 'How often does a member of your household use TangleTown?'.
The survey closes off by asking community members interested in having a more hands-on role with the future of TangleTown to consider being a part of a focus group, serving on the planning committee, volunteering for a workday or community build project, or contributing financially.
All feedback will help the City of Hastings Park Committee create a plan for initiating improvements to the park so it can continue to be a source of joy for children and families for many more years to come.
Article by Rachael Volpe