Zorn Park could be getting play structure back
HARBOR SPRINGS — After months of community debate regarding bringing a playground back to Zorn Park in Harbor Springs, an agreement may finally be met between the city and a Zorn Park Advocacy group.
The city has been in communication with the advocacy group's lawyers to work on a donor agreement so a good compromise can be met between the city and residents. The group was advocating for preserved green space at the park.
Parks and recreation director Rachel Roon and city manager Victor Sinadinoski met with the group’s representation during a Zoom meeting and told them they would need a donor contract written and sent over for the Aug. 7 city council meeting so the council can review the agreement, Roon said during Tuesday’s Parks and Recreation board meeting.
“We're at the spot where we've kind of come up with a plan that everyone is on board with, and that is to put new equipment — a smaller one-unit structure into the sand with turf — and right now we are waiting for the donor agreement to get to council for the Aug. 7 meeting,” Roon told the News-Review.
During Monday’s city council meeting, Sinadinoski said a deadline was put on the donor agreement because council members had said they wanted a deadline and it would be helpful for the city to be able to start ordering items to use at the park.
“This has been ongoing for about a year now ... so we need to get this wrapped up,” Sinadinoski said.
Last fall, full and part-time residents alike spoke at multiple city council, parks and recreation and planning commission meetings to share their thoughts on bringing a playset back to Zorn. Some residents shared their support, while others said there were already too few areas to view the water.
More: Harbor Springs struggles with placement of play equipment at Zorn Park
During the June 20 Parks and Recreation board meeting, Roon showed off updated layout plans for the Zorn Park playground. A playset will be added to a new area that will have a short cement barrier and turf put in.
The playground would be put in the park in 2024, with the playset placed over a nearly 1,000 square foot area of sand, coming right off the sidewalk into the turf. The turf will be placed beside the sidewalk, allowing the new play structure to be ADA accessible. The swings will be placed on the west end of the beach where they formerly were.
Prior to 2020, a play structure was located at the west end of the beach on the sand. It was removed and sent to storage following safety concerns when there were higher water levels.
Now, a new play structure is expected to be brought in to preserve the views of the water and reduce the footprint needed to offer equipment.
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During the meeting, Roon said the footprint of the new play equipment is smaller because it is less spread out, and it’s more accessible.
At the June parks board meeting, Roon said the old Zorn Park equipment may be brought to another park.
“We're just happy to wrap this up after a year and a half,” Roon said to the News-Review. “We're hoping that it's a win-win for everyone — the city, its community. So, we're hoping that all the negotiations and discussions pay off in the end.”
The next city council meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 7.
— Contact reporter Karly Graham at kgraham@petoskeynews.com. Follow her on Twitter at @KarlyGrahamJRN.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Harbor Springs' Zorn Park may get play structure back
