MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – A long-awaited construction project is finally underway in Marquette’s Mattson Lower Harbor for the Kids Cove. Kids Cove was completed in 1996 and after years of use is now outdated, The Environmental Protection Agency even banned the future use of the lumber used in its construction.
The original swings and material to build all of the structures are over 25 years old and need to be replaced. “This doesn’t really fit into playground standards at all anymore and it’s also deteriorating the wood is falling apart the equipment is falling apart,” continued Ittner.
“Some of the wood is coming up kids could get slivers there’s rusty bolts and stuff,” commented one community member Kent Maki. The City of Marquette received a Natural Resources Trust Fund Grant of $300,000 from the state in 2021 to plan and construct a new Kids Cove. The total project cost is around 1.6 million dollars from grant dollars and community fundraising and the construction team will be setting up the fencing today.
“So this is the second generation of this playground It’s also going to be a completely universal design accessible inclusive playground,” commented Director of Community Services Jon Swenson.
Instead of woodchips, a rubberized pour-in-place surface material will be used and the tall, easy-to-hide-in structures, will be replaced with all-inclusive play areas even for children with disabilities (pictured below). “Every single child will be able to play together they’ll be able to laugh together they’ll be able to grow friendships together and more importantly than anything all of their differences will finally kind of melt away,” continued Ittner.
“One of the challenges with a structure like what we have behind us is once they’re in it’s kind of difficult to see where they’re at,” continued Swenson.
It will be slightly larger than the layout beforehand and leaders say with the all-inclusive play outline, they hope this will inspire more playgrounds to do the same.
“I think other communities are gonna suddenly realize wait a second this is the type of playground we all should be having because all these other playgrounds are going in and yes they’re lovely and wonderful and kids love them, but there’s a whole population of kids who can’t,” explained Ittner.
The 25-year-old structure will be taken down within the month and will be closed until the summer of 2024.
Click here, if you would like to donate to the new construction of the Kids Cove.
