HOULTON, Maine — Area children will soon have new a recreational area at the Just For Kids playground after the Houlton Town Council last week approved the purchase of new equipment.
The Houlton Parks and Recreation has been looking to replace its aged equipment for a number of years and has been actively fundraising for the past seven years.
“We are pretty excited to be here,” said Marie Carmichael, recreation director. “It has been since 2008 that we have been working on this project. This is something that should be really fun for the kids.”
According to Town Manager Butch Asselin, Houlton received a $50,000 grant from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which required a $50,000 local match. He stated the town had raised about $58,000 for the project through donations and pledges from individuals and local groups.
The bid process closed on April 1 and three organizations submitted proposals for the playground equipment. Those groups were Maine Parks and Recreation Equipment of Brunswick; Ultiplay Structures of Uxbridge, Mass.; and ME O’Brien and Sons of Medfield, Mass.
A playground committee reviewed the three proposals and opted for the Brunswick proposal. Councilors accepted the bid of $97,780 from Maine Parks and Recreation Equipment Company, even though that bid was not the lowest.
“The equipment from Maine Parks and Recreation had elements to it that the committee preferred,” Asselin said. “Their equipment met or exceeded the specs we provided.”
The town’s public works department will be involved in some of the earthwork that needs to be done before the new equipment is installed. A community workday will be held June 6 for any individuals who wish to be a part of the renovation project.
“We invite anyone to come and help,” Carmichael said.
Any funds that are not spent will remain in the town’s playground account for future expenses.
The equipment being replaced is about 25 years old, Carmichael said.
