Charlottetown square to get back traditional playground equipment

Traditional playground equipment will be installed inConnaughtHeritage Square in Charlottetown after residents complained last year about the square re-design.

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The former playground, with swings and a slide, was removed by the city in fall 2014 and replaced with more natural-looking gear, mostly designed for climbing and balancing.

"It was quite clear they were not happy with the natural, imaginative approach of the parks and rec committee and the concept of the four heritage squares, making it more natural," said Mitchell Tweel, chair of Charlottetown's standing committee on Parks, Recreation and Leisure Activities.

The city has now called for a request for proposals for new, more traditional equipment with three different-sized slides and nine or 10 activity panels, as well as two swing sets.

In November, the city held a meeting to hear input from residents, where the new equipment was given the thumbs-down by most of the 60 attendees. Some parents said their children stopped playing there altogether.

"The message was loud and clear we want our playground equipment back!" said Tweel.

Cost is still unknown

No word yet on how much the city plans to spend on the new playground they're waiting for bids to come back first, Tweel said.

The natural-looking equipment may remain or be removed.

"I think this is very unfortunate and didn't need to happen," Tweel said, pointing out the first-re-design was done before he was appointed chair of the parks committee, although he was a committee member at the time.

More care will be taken in future to more fully consult residents, Tweel promised.

Officials expect the contract will be awarded next in April, with construction taking place in late spring or early summer.