Town Crier Articles

With warmer weather and the opportunity for outdoor activities, families want to know – what’s happening at the New Town community pool playground? You may have noticed that for the past year or so the playground becomes a soggy bog after heavy rain periods. This condition is affecting its use.

 

The NTRA also received $20,000 in funds from New Town Associates in 2017 for additional equipment at the playground. However, no money has yet been spent and there is no timeframe for when all the playground issues will be resolved.

 

To recap how we got here:

In 2016 residents successfully reversed a proposal from the developers to eliminate any further playgrounds in New Town. James City County Supervisors agreed in July 2016 to abide by the decision of the New Town Design Review Board and RAB as to whether an additional playground would be built in the Chelsea Green neighborhood as originally designed in the New Town Master Plan.

 

A workgroup of residents met throughout late 2016 to review whether another playground should be built and if not, consider upgrades that might be possible to the main playground near the pool.  This committee consulted with residents of Chelsea Green, the playground equipment company, and James City County. In March 2017 the RAB approved their recommendations not to build a playground in Chelsea Green and to add umbrellas and an additional structure to the pool playground. In particular, the playground group felt that the use of some type of shading device would protect users from the seasonal heat and rain, thus enhancing the area’s use.

 

In April 2017, the RAB Chairman met with the developer who agreed to fund a new slide, a handicapped swing, additional tables, benches, and umbrellas.  In August 2017, the RAB accepted $20,000 payment from New Town Associates for such equipment and in fulfillment of the James City County proffers regarding playgrounds.

 

Cost then became a factor, since estimates for the recommended additional equipment exceeded the funds provided by the developer. The RAB initially proposed to cover an additional $15,000 expense through a combination of the NTRA budget and a fundraising effort. In November 2017 the RAB also asked that the playground group provide a revised list of equipment to match the $20,000 funding. However, in February 2018 the playground group deferred and asked the RAB to make the final decision considering their prior recommendation for a slide and shade equipment. They further encouraged the association to take advantage of promotional sales.

 

In June 2019 the RAB asked Town Management to research the cost of a slide, handicapped swing and at least two umbrellas for the pool playground. They also recognized that the drainage at the playground had become a problem.

 

Drainage Problem  

In July 2019 New Town’s landscape contractor met with Town Management concerning the drainage problem. The location of the playground is poor with no drainage system provided for runoff from the hard surface of the pool area as well as the interior sidewalk from Roper Park. Their initial estimate of the cost to correct the issues was $18-$20,000. In October 2019, the RAB asked Town Management to obtain at least two additional cost estimates and to consult with a professional and recommend an appropriate solution to fixing the drainage problem. In December 2019, the engineering consultant, AES, had not yet completed its analysis and the RAB asked Town Management to expedite the report.  The RAB further confirmed that funds for this repair should be considered maintenance and taken from the NTRA Reserve Account and that any new playground equipment be purchased using the $20,000 from New Town Associates. AES subsequently provided its engineering analysis and Town Management is in the process of obtaining additional bids.

 

According to Tim Grueter, Senior Community Manager at Town Management, “there are few companies who do this kind of work.” Only one additional bid is available. The second construction company proposes a multi pipe drainage system to correct runoff in multiple locations, similar to a fix provided for a James City County park with a similar problem. Complicating any cost estimate is the fact that the current playground equipment is cemented in place, requiring a contractor to manually dig around the structures to install drainage pipes.

 

Until the drainage problem is resolved, the RAB is reluctant to install any new equipment, according to RAB Chair, Chuck Stetler.

 

The bottom line - should your family expect a mud-free and shaded summer at the playground this year? Probably not.