City of Eugene Parks and Open Space is preparing to begin two park renovation projects this month at Maurie Jacobs Park and Bethel Community Park.
Maurie Jacobs Park will receive a new sand play area including a sand play table and digger. Last year, the playground surface at Maurie Jacobs Park, as well as that at many other city parks, were converted from sand to wood chips to meet new national safety standards for fall surfaces under play equipment. Public response to the change was positive, but park users also let staff know that they still want some sand in their park, particularly for babies and toddlers. By popular demand, Parks and Open Space Planning staff designed a new sand area that will be adjacent to the playground. Nearby shrubs will also be removed for improved safety.
Construction at Maurie Jacobs Park began August 22, and is expected to be complete by the end of September. The playground will remain open throughout the project, but visitors are asked to be alert near the work zone, and to watch for equipment crossing the bike path.
The Bethel Community Park improvement project is scheduled to begin on August 29 with completion by the end of September. Children playing in the sand area will discover a new sand and water feature, sand play table, tot spinners, and a tot sand play cottage. New swings will be installed in the wood chip area, as well. The upgrades are designed to meet current safety standards, and to upgrade aging equipment. Two additional wind chime sculptures, purchased as part of the original project, will also be installed. During the month-long construction process, the entire sand area will be closed, as well as the wood chip area near the swings.