Fairfield City Council approves new playground equipment for O.B. Nelson

FAIRFIELD — The playground at O.B. Nelson Park in Fairfield will soon receive a makeover.

The Fairfield City Council approved purchasing new equipment for the Partners for Play playground for about $127,000. The playground equipment is more than 20 years old and is starting to show its age.

Fairfield City Engineer Melanie Carlson addressed the council to say that Fairfield Parks & Recreation Director Calvin Todd wanted to stick with a castle theme, even though the city would shift the playground from wood to plastic and metal.

“Our idea is to do a large portion of the structure this year and continue to add onto it in the future,” Carlson said.

Council member Doug Flournoy asked Carlson how much the city had budgeted to replace the playground, and Carlson said $130,000, meaning the bid from the contractor was under budget. After hearing that, Flournoy motioned to approve the purchase.

Carlson said she and Todd wanted to get a contract signed as soon as possible to lock in the price before inputs such as steel became more expensive.

The council voted 6-0 to approve the purchase, with council members Flournoy, Paul Gandy, Tom Twohill, Elizabeth Estey, Martha Rasmussen and Judy Ham voting in favor. Council member Katy Anderson was absent.

Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com