Sandcastle Playground Cost A Concern to Residents

Residents asked about the size, cost and ultimately if a nearly $400,000 playground is needed for Clearwater Beach.

About 20 residents and members of the Clearwater Beach Association peppered Kevin Dunbar, parks and recreation director, with questions for nearly an hour about a potential plan to bring a sandcastle playground and other renovations to Pier 60 Park Tuesday.

“What our belief is, that when you are coming around the roundabout you see Clearwater Beach is friendly-family,” Dunbar said about plans for the nearly 14-foot tall sandcastle structure. “Really it is continuing to show we are a family-friendly area.”

Resident and neighborhood groups expressed opposition to the plan citing concerns about the cost of adding a playground where there already is one when playgrounds in other parks are removed.

A typical playground costs about $75,000, Dunbar said. The cost for the sandcastle playground structure is more than $300,000 as part of the overall renovation project for the park. The plan has been in the city’s budget for two years, Dunbar said.

In addition to the play structure and an entry sign, the project includes repairing parts of the existing seating wall and walkways, repairing irrigation and improving the special event layout to mesh the park more closely with the look of Beach Walk. Plans also call for adding a military flag plaza.

The Clearwater Neighborhoods Coalition unanimously opposed the project during their meeting Monday. The Clearwater Beach Association opposed the project after hearing from Dunbar Tuesday.

Dunbar was asked about building the playground when others in the city are being removed.

“What do you have in your budget to restore and replace playground equipment in other places,” Anne Garris, a beach resident and member of the Clearwater Beach Association, asked Dunbar.

There is $1 million in the budget for repairs and maintenance to the roughly 30 playgrounds at parks throughout the city, Dunbar said. The city employs three certified inspectors who do weekly checks at city playgrounds. 

While playgrounds have been removed at places like Plaza Park and there are plans to remove the structure at Coachman Ridge park later this year, Dunbar said there are larger playgrounds available at facilities like the North Greenwood Recreation and Aquatics Complex and Long Center closeby.

“Hard to say you should replace that when all you have to do is walk across the bridge over the creek,” Dunbar said about the Coachman Ridge playground.

Residents also asked more technical questions about the pricey playground.

At its height, the sandcastle structure is about 14 feet tall, Dunbar said. It is made of concrete and materials more tolerable to the harsh beach conditions giving it an expected lifespan of 15 years. Typical playgrounds last about five years in that environment, Dunbar said.

Why two playgrounds?

The sandcastle structure is geared for older children ages 5-12 while the current playground is built for 2-5 year olds, Dunbar said.

If city leaders vote down the plan the money would go back into the general fund to be saved or spent, Dunbar said. The city council votes on the renovation plan at its May 16 meeting.

If you go:

What: City Council meeting

When: 6 p.m. Thursday, May 16

Where: City Hall, 112 S Osceola Ave

Related coverage:

• Clearwater Beach Association to Hear More on Sandcastle Playground Plan
• Pricey Playground Eyed for Clearwater Beach

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