City provides details on playground removal and future plans for Myers Park

On Oct. 8, 2024, residents near 9th Ave. in south central Stillwater learned their beloved neighborhood playground had been closed at Myers Park. A sign reading “Play area temporarily closed due to safety concerns” hung on the newly installed fencing. 

A few park users photographed the closed area, wondering what the safety concerns were and, more importantly, what was going to happen next.

Their photos of the closed park showed the safety turf had torn in various areas, most notably around a popular spinning feature of the playground, which showed large holes worn through.

Fast forward to late January 2025, when the playground equipment was removed, and mulch put in its place. Frustrated neighbors who frequent the small park took to Facebook community pages to vent their frustrations, ask questions, and create awareness. Many wanted to know why the 12-year-old equipment was being removed.

According to statements provided by Barbara Bliss, Director of Parks and Community Resources, the playground at Myers Park had multiple safety concerns. The turf was in poor condition, with pulled edges, seams showing, and possible tripping hazards. 

“Staff have made several attempts to reconnect the surface but are unable to due to the condition of the turf,” Bliss stated. “Without replacement, the turf surface would be a tripping hazard and does not provide the required absorption landing for falls.”

According to the city, the cost to replace the turf alone is $35,000.

“The playground equipment had multiple safety concerns, including rusting metal and cracked plastic parts,” Bliss stated. “Areas that needed to be replaced are no longer available due to the age of the equipment.”

In a Facebook post to the Stillwater Community Page, Amanda Baraldi, lamented the destruction of "perfectly good playground equipment," hoping it could have been donated or sold.

When asked about selling or donating the playground equipment, city staff informed The Stillwegian that liability issues could arise and the equipment is simply not safe for reinstallation.

While the city doesn’t have a proposed timeline, their plans include renovating the park to provide a safe experience for a wider range of children. Their main idea is to move the playground closer to 10th Ave. on the south side of the park. The relocation would provide a safer distance from arterial vehicle traffic on 9th Ave. and the nearby sewage lift station.

“Stillwater Parks staff met with a playground company at the park last week [mid-January] and will meet with another company this week, in effort to collect proposals for quality equipment at a reasonable price,” Bliss stated. “It is estimated that the type of equipment with safety surfacing, including installation, may be around $50,000.”

Fundraising efforts for Myers Park have begun

In a Jan. 13, 2025, press release, the City of Stillwater announced it had been awarded a $17,500 grant from the Grand River Dam Authority that would specifically be used to fund playground equipment at Myers Park. From the release: 

“We are so appreciative of the sponsorship from GRDA and the initiative Loren Smith and Stillwater Electric took to research where the money could be used and to apply for this grant,” Bliss said. “This donation will assist in funding a new playground at Myers Park and will allow us to continue our mission to improve our neighborhood parks in Stillwater.”

The release also stated the expected cost to be between $60,000 and $80,000.

The city had planned a community engagement event in early January that focused on parks and public spaces but had to reschedule due to extreme cold temperatures.

The rescheduled Parks & Community Resources Open House will be at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 20, 2025, at the Stillwater Community Center. At the event, city staff plan to share information collected through recent surveys and offer sign-up opportunities for volunteers. 

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A possible future for Myers Park

At the Dec. 16, 2024 City Council meeting Bliss reported that survey respondents for Myers Park want picnic tables, benches, shade structures, and open green space. Interestingly, replacing the recently removed playground equipment due to safety concerns wasn't a high priority for most respondents.

“That neighborhood was different, they wanted to maintain that playground equipment,” Bliss said. “… and have that creek better maintained.”

The current status and future of Stillwater’s public parks has been top-of-mind after City Council held a study session Aug. 26, 2024 where they discussed the draft Master Park & Resources Plan that was commissioned in 2021 at a cost of $185,000.

The draft suggests reducing and consolidating parks to lower maintenance costs and fund improvements to highly used parks. It also includes recommendations for programs, recreation facilities, staffing, operations, and funding strategies. However, the plan has not been adopted and is being used as a reference resource.

For Myers Park the draft plan recommends replacing the playground surface and adding ADA accessible parking and walkways as high priorities. Adding a shelter for events and converting the west and south portions of the park to a natural wildflower area were listed as medium priorities.