Thursday, June 13, 2002

The thought seemed implausible - $300,000 is not enough for a new Skyline Playground at Robbins Farm Park.

It wasn't too long ago that someone could buy a home in Arlington for that price, yet it can't replace the playground.

This dollar figure was discussed during last Thursday's meeting focusing on the Robbins Farm Park and Spy Pond Park projects. Jill Ochs Zick of Carol R. Johnson Associates, Inc., told the audience, made up mostly of Friends of Robbins Farm Park, something that they already knew.

But to those who hadn't heard that figure before it was surprising.

The town needs to replace the playground because it is a safety hazard. Youngsters who play on the equipment are stuck with splinters from the wooden structures.

In addition to the $300,000 for the playground, the town - as phase one of the Robbins Farm Park project - is earmarking $100,000 to remove the decaying tennis court and rehabilitating that area of the park, and another $75,000 for project-related costs like design.

Phase two would include revitalizing the ball field, while phase three would focus on landscape features such as developing an area for people to enjoy the view of the Boston skyline. Officials would also like to establish a barrier between the street and park to block cars from driving on the field.

The Park and Recreation Commission and Friends of Robbins Farm Park are now working to cut equipment from the playground project to drop the price tag to the $300,000 mark. The Friends understand that exceeding $300,000 for a playground is not doable and even suggested raising funds, in addition to the town's appropriation.

One option floated last Thursday was, instead of building structures for children 2-12, the town build structures for the younger set, 2-5 year olds, at Robbins Farm and later, if money is available, construct equipment for 6-12 year olds.

The Brackett School has a new playground - though it can't be used while school is in session. So, a playground for 2-5 year olds at Robbins Farm would provide a spot for parents of young children during the school day.

This solution is not ideal though because parents who bring their young children to the Robbins Farm playground would need to send their older kids across the street to Brackett to take advantage of the more advanced equipment.

That's why The Advocate feels the best option is to build a $300,000 playground and allow the Friends to raise funds to support additional equipment. The dollar amount is lofty, but that is what the project needs.

The collaboration between the Friends and Park and Recreation Commission should serve as a model for other community groups and committees. The Park and Recreation Commission and Friends of Robbins Farm Park do not see one another as adversaries, but residents of a town trying to improve the quality of a park.

We could all learn from their collaborative relationship.