City to Replace Vandalized Playground Equipment

Finkbiner Park will get a brand new playset in March to replace playground equipment damaged by vandals overnight in October.

La Shawn Butler, Community Services Director, said sometime in October vandals damaged the large tower and cut through the slide deck of the playset. The damage was discovered the next morning, and the playset had to be blocked off.

Butler said the damaged portion is unsafe and will need to be replaced since new parts won’t be compatible.

“The playground is heavily used by children from ages one to 12 years old,” said Butler. “The part that was damaged was one of the most popular parts of the playground.”

The playground equipment will cost the city $102,000 to replace. Butler said the funds will come from capital reserves.

While the replacement of the playground was not originally budgeted, no other city item or program will be impacted, as capital reserves are budgeted for unexpected expenses, said Butler. The new playset should be installed by mid March.