A Brand New Imagination Station

STORY BY BREANNA MANLEY

This summer Imagination Station committee members will be hard at work raising $400,000 for the revival of the grand playground at the Charles E. Bailey Sportplex in Alexander City. With renderings and plans in place, their goal of creating a safe and fun environment for kids of all ages is closer to becoming a reality.

According to Kasey Kaschak, director of parks and recreation, the committee has already secured over $16,000 in donations, and they hope to increase that amount as the summer wears on.

“Funding is still very much so ongoing for the project. Right now, we have around $16,000 with probably another $10,000 verbally committed. Now we’re moving into the fundraising part, which is hitting the businesses up and talking to individuals who want to donate,” Kaschak explained.

To spark interest in donations among businesses and individuals throughout the surrounding communities, Kaschak and the rest of the Imagination Station committee are exploring incentives for both businesses and individuals alike.

“Our goal is to offer incentives. We’re thinking about selling bricks along with doing another handprint wall that mimics the one that’s still here. We’re going to have T-shirts for sale, too,” Kaschak said.

According to Kaschak, when plans to rebuild the Imagination Station came about, they went through several revisions in building materials, layout and features to be included.

“We were given options. When we had our first committee meeting, we had two options that we narrowed it down to, and we took the best out of those two options and combined them into the one that the public has come across online,” Kaschak explained.

The committee, made up of community leaders at the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce, Lake Martin Area Economic Development Alliance, city council and school board members, noted the importance of the playground and its compliance with ADA requirements and wanted to create a plan based on inclusivity for all children. Taking into consideration Americans with Disabilities Act requirements, along with safety and longevity, the plan for a reinvented Imagination Station includes a variety of structures and kid-friendly elements for all ages.

“The old Imagination Station was all wood, and over time,

On The Way

The Imagination Station committee already has raised $16,000 toward the $400,000 playground project at the Sportplex in Alexander City.

wood structures deteriorate. With this new design, what we aim to do is set out something that is safe. We want to have something that is ADA compliant, so individuals with mobility impairments can have access to the same equipment and structures that other kids have,” Kaschak said.

One of the first steps in the design process considers surfacing and choosing materials.

According to Kaschak, a couple of materials have been thoroughly examined for the surfacing of the park.

“The first design that we had and probably the biggest point of contention for all of us was the surfacing, which is a large and important part of this project. We were initially looking at engineered wood fiber, which is essentially fancy mulch. It’s easier to move around on that typical mulch, and it’s ADA complaint.

have different sections. The old wood structures will be replaced by metal and plastic structures, and there will be designated areas for all age groups, including a portion that the committee has decided to call Toddler Town, as well as a sensory station.

According to Kaschak, the layout will be about the same. A few trees might need to be cut down when construction begins, and the committee is also planning to make the entrance to the playground more accessible.

Ready and Waiting

The new playground will be constructed at the site where the original Imagination Station was built more than 30 years ago.

“When we really dug into it, we concluded that the wood fiber would deteriorate quickly over time, and it could potentially lose its absorbency. We then pivoted to artificial turf. It lasts longer; it’s safer; and it’s going to require way less maintenance,” Kaschak explained.

Like the original Imagination Station, the playground will

“The City is going to take on most of that work in house, as much as we possibly can. There’s a lot of side prep that goes into building a playground,” Kaschak said.

Pet and Playground Products out of Eclectic is working with the committee and will be constructing the project once all the costs are covered.

“On the original Imagination Station, most of the work was done by the average citizen. It’s incredible to look back on photos and see that sense of community. It’s fun to have a place where kids can come and just be kids. The parents are going to enjoy it along with the kids. Everybody can come. Making a top tier place for everyone is really the goal,” Kaschak explained.