Cottonwood Acting City Manager Tom Whitmer announced the conclusion of the “Pick Your Playground” campaign for the redesign of Riverfront Park at a City Council meeting on March 4.
Voting closed on March 2.
Residents were able to vote in person at the Cottonwood Recreation Center, during the city’s presentations on the redesign or online; the majority voted online. The process also included surveys of third- through fifth-grade students and the administrators of the Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District.
Community Services Director Jak Teel said 818 votes were cast for three different options for playground designs.
According to statements from the park’s designer, Altitude Recreation:
■ The first option featured a “timbers/nature” theme incorporating flower pods, log steps and natural elements that would blend with the surrounding environment:
■ The second option included a tower that would allow for higher climbing structures and longer slides:
■ The third option was intended to emphasize climbing and movement-based play including spinning, sliding, swinging, climbing, brachiating, and balancing activities:
Option one received 141 votes, option two received 514 and option three received 163 votes.
Teel said at the meeting that he would move forward with a community survey for the color choices for option two and that it would take an estimated eight to 10 weeks to obtain the playground equipment, with the Parks and Recreation Department hoping to have it installed by late May.
