by Jason Lamb
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Construction at two Anchorage parks will cause playground closures in the name of improving safety.
Both Jewel Lake Park and Valley of the Moon Park will be closing around July 15. The closures are supposed to last for the rest of the summer, through September.
Some of the changes include a softer playground surface at Valley of the Moon, and an added ramp and other accessibility options at Jewel Lake Park.
In this prime time of summer, the closures will mean a temporary detour for park users.
"We have to make sure the playground is safe. Kids use it in any way you can dream of. On the weekends, there are hundreds and hundreds of people all throughout both parks," said Anchorage park superintendent Holly Spoth-Torres.
That's why the city is using deferred maintenance money to fix parks like Valley of the Moon first, despite a little temporary disappointment.
