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Playground Evaluation Matrix <br /> io <br /> ■Safety uu Condition iiiiiiii Age ADA ■Usage Type Trails/Other <br /> SECTION 4. PUBLIC INPUT AND DEMONSTRATED NEED. <br /> The evaluation matrix may not be the sole determinant of the order in which playgrounds are <br /> replaced. Input by the community with respect to neighborhood parks is crucial to ensure that <br /> residents are well served by their city. A playground scoring higher than another does not necessarily <br /> mean that it will be replaced first, particularly if public input demonstrates significant justification <br /> for another park's playground to be replaced sooner. <br /> Another tool for assessing the need for playground replacement is actual neighborhood <br /> demographics. In some cases, school district data may be obtained that provide the numbers and <br /> ages of children within a logical distance of the park under consideration (likely the same 1,500' <br /> foot radius). This may reveal very young children that will be coming into that 6+ age where <br /> playgrounds are important features of their lives. In other instances it may be found that the <br /> population are older residents, and less likely to have children in the household regularly. In 2012, <br /> the City installed a game trail camera to monitor the numbers, frequency and real-time use of a <br /> playground. This was found to be an effective way to support retaining this particular play area. <br /> SECTION 5. ALTERNATIVES TO PLAY STRUCTURE COMPONANTS. <br /> In instances where the public may not support the elimination of a playground per se, but full or <br /> partial replacement is not feasible,other actions can be taken to preserve space for children to engage <br /> in outdoor recreation without entirely new play structure components. Alternative play spaces <br /> however are best considered with appropriate public input. Residents may embrace for example, <br /> `nature based' play areas made with trees, branches, boulders etc. which may be less expensive to <br /> install and maintain than traditional playground equipment. Pearson Park has elements like these, <br /> which are proven to be popular. <br /> 5 <br />