A photo from Google Images showing the currently wooden playground equipment in place at Chadakoin Park.
JAMESTOWN – On Monday night the Jameson City Council approved a resolution authorizing the mayor to sign a letter of intent to enter a $150,000 grant agreement with KaBoom! Inc. for the purpose of funding construction of a new playground in Chadakoin Park.
The effort to upgrade the playground equipment has been underway for a couple years now with councilwoman Vicki James (D-Ward III) helping to spearhead the effort. She said she new equipment is needed at the park.
Chadakoin Park has the last wooden playground in the city of Jamestown. It has been grandfathered in and I believe the grandfather clause will expire in a year or two, so [the new playground] will be right on time,” James said.
James said the grant hasn’t been approved yet, but she’s hopeful Kaboom! Inc. will sign off on it.
“We had a 90-minute interview with them, probably two or three weeks ago, and everything looks really good. We’re keeping our fingers crossed and, like I said, we’ve got the lord on our side,” James said, referring to the widespread community support for the project that includes pastors from two local churches.
James also thanked the numerous individuals who’ve helped with the effort to secure the funding, including city Parks and Recreation staff members John Williams and Julia Ciesla-Hanley.
Kaboom! Inc. is a national foundation to help communities pay for playgrounds across the country. If the grant is approved, James said the city would have to pick up the local share of about $10,000, which is being raised through fundraising efforts, with about $8,000 already raised.
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