The FACTS about the Eli Hart Memorial Playground

Sadly, the building of this playground has become quite political mostly because of incorrect information being shared (no, the ground of the playground won’t be plastic…. no, an handicap-accessible ADA-compliant playground does not cost more money to maintain).

On behalf of our supporters, donors, sponsors, and volunteers we have decided it necessary to address the misinformation, accusations, and lies that are being perpetrated by a very small group of people.

Let us set the facts straight:

• A resolution of support was issued 2/14/23 by the City of Mound after we made our first official city council presentation.

• The playground blueprints and renderings officially passed the Parks board (unanimously 5 - 0) on 9/26/23, after over a dozen meetings, and modifications based on feedback from the parks board and city council, dating back to 9/9/22.

• A donation agreement was signed by the City of Mound and the Eli Hart Foundation 12/20/23 after receiving majority approval (3 - 2) at the 12/12/23 city council meeting.

• ADA playgrounds DO NOT cost more to maintain.

• ADA playgrounds DO NOT require chain-link fence enclosures.

• How does ADA apply to public play areas? "Outdoor play areas for children ages 2 or older should be given equal opportunity to play. Playground equipment and facilities constructed or altered on or after March 15, 2012, must comply with the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design", it is a national standard that ALL public playgrounds are ADA compliant.

• Of the few (4-6) trees that do have to be removed, two of them are Ash tree’s infected with EAB and were already flagged for removal.

• For every tree that is removed it will be replaced with a hardy, disease resistant native Zone 5 tree. If the removed trees have not been replaced by 10/1/24 the Eli Hart Foundation will pay for their replacement.

• The Mound Harbor District, adjacent to Artessa, WAS NEVER officially proposed as a site option by the City of Mound.

• The completion of this project will not affect previously scheduled city works or maintenance projects, including road maintenance.

• All of our donors and sponsors know exactly what they have been supporting and have been included in the process.

• We have over 700 individual donations, over 100 business donations, and grants/sponsors including (the local Lions Club, American Legion, Jaycee’s, Knights of Columbus, Rotary Clubs, Caterpillar Inc. Foundation, Community Foundation of Chippewa County, Our Lady of the Lake, Bethel United Methodist Church, and Hennepin County).

The Size of the Playground:

• Regarding the size, from the beginning of the planning process we were given specific parameters to work within directly from: the parks board, city council, city manager, city engineer and the mayor. Based on their feedback, throughout the process the playground was downsized twice, removing some play events, and minimizing the amount of poured-in-place vs. playground wood chips.

• Architects and CAD designers specifically designed this playground around the community feedback from the Master Plan, attending many meeting with us, and keeping in mind the view of the lake from County Road 110. Which ultimately lead to the parks board giving us unanimous (5 – 0) approval.

• The new playground is 7,700 sq. ft. Total area including concrete sidewalks and walkway is 9,200 sq. ft.

• The existing playground is 2,200 sq. ft.

• The proposed playground from figure 4.1 of the master plan was 4,500 sq. ft.

• According to page 11 of the master plan Surfside Park is 3.3 acres or 143,700 sq. ft.

• The green space square footage is 119,600 sq. ft.

• The green space area minus the new playground is 110,400 sq. ft. or 2.5 acres.

• The footprint of the new playground will be 6.4% of the entire park.

• The footprint of the new playground will be 7.6% of the total green space.

• Here is part of the evaluation from the master plan regarding the existing playground:

  “Considerations for future playground design include considering other options for location, surface type, playset design and components, integrating nature-based play, and evaluating handicap accessible designs. The playground is one of the most popular and well-used elements of Surfside Park today.”

  Please do not let the misinformation, lies, and negativity of a few overshadow the overwhelming support of thousands!

  *Areas are rounded to the nearest 100th sq. ft. and were provided by the city engineer.