Over the summer, residents in and around the south hills of Eugene may have noticed major changes in several local playgrounds. Those who frequent either Jerry Andrews Field or Kincaid Park were sure to notice the major renovations occurring at Edgewood elementary and Charlemagne Elementary respectively. These renovations were both efforts of 4j’s Multi-Site Playground Consolidation Project.
The Playground Consolidation Project, costing two million dollar bid was awarded to Ordell Construction, has consequences across many schools. Familiar to many South students, Edgewood Elementary, which feeds into Spencer Butte Middle School, and Charlemagne Elementary School, which feeds into Roosevelt Middle school, have both had their preexisting playgrounds completely demolished. For Edgewood, the entirety of the upper playground was destroyed and replaced by pavement. For Charlemagne Elementary, the western play area, closest to Potter street, was demolished, soon to be replaced with new lawn. Other schools, unfamiliar to many at South, also received similarly drastic changes because of the Playground Consolidation Project. These include: Awebrewy Park Elementary, McCormack Elementary, and Spring Creek Elementary.
After the demolition of these pre-existing playstructures, a new ‘consolidated’ play structure is constructed on the site of one the old playgrounds. For Edgewood, the site of the consolidated play structure is the lower playground, and for Charlamagne the site is the playground closest to Kinkaid park. With new playstructures constructed on every site, aside from Kennedy Middle School, the students are sure to have a fun school year.
Aside from the playground consolidation, Edgewood and Charlemagne will be receiving covered playstructures. Edgewood receives theirs as part of the Playground Consolidation Project while Charlamange, Awbrey Park, Fox Hollow, McCornack, Spring Creek, and Willagillespie Elementary School receive their covered play areas through the Multi-Site Covered Playstructures project. These new covered playstructures will allow the students of these schools year-round access to weather protected outdoor play areas.
Article by Ty Jones