FROSTBURG — The Parris N. Glendening Recreation Complex, one of the most popular recreational areas in the city of Frostburg, is getting an upgrade.
New playground equipment will be installed at the park in January and should be ready for play as soon as the work is complete, according to city officials.
The old equipment, which was removed last week, was nearly 20 years old and nearing “maximum life” for such equipment, Brian Vogt, the city’s director of parks and recreation, said.
Playground equipment is typically replaced after 20 years of use due to deterioration and new safety standards.
“It was the oldest playground in town,” Vogt said.
Plans for new playground equipment from the company GameTime Inc. were finalized during October’s mayor and council meeting.
Funding came from Program Open Space, which is administered by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
Additional money was pulled from COVID-19 relief funding and matched by GameTime Inc.
“That allowed us to basically double the amount of playground equipment we could get,” said Vogt.
The new playground will look drastically different and provide more physical activities for children due to its larger size.
“Definitely an upgrade,” Vogt said. “Playground equipment has changed quite a bit in 20 years.”
Much of the new equipment will provide a safer space for children to climb and exercise.
Vogt said that safety concerns for children were the No. 1 concern for getting the playground replaced.
“(The children) will have a new playground that we don’t have anywhere else in town,” said Vogt.
The playground will also have several new slides and state-of-the-art climbing gyms.
In the future, Vogt said that there aren’t many big projects planned for Glendening, however, several small projects focused on maintenance and upkeep will keep the area looking fresh.