Playground Equipment in Two Millbrae Parks is Non-ADA Compliant

Two parks in Millbrae - Green Hills and Lions - have playground equipment that is not in line with Americans with Disabilities Act standards, and the equipment has to be removed at a cost of approximately $13,000 to the city.

A third park - Meadows - also had non-compliant gear; its equipment has already been removed.

"The city is working toward the safest possible equipment in all public parks," says Vice-Mayor Gina Papan. "This equipment (we're replacing) is really old. We're just trying to put safety above all."

Consideration was given Tuesday night at Millbrae's City Council meeting to close the two parks in question.

"Closing the parks is not a great alternative," replied Mayor Marge Colapietro. "We have to have outdoor acitivities for young people and seniors."

It doesn't appear the non-ADA compliance has to do with any unique equipment issues; rather, the issue may be one of accessibility for disabled people.

The ADA rules are rolled into a Consumer Products Safety Commission Handbook for Public Playground Safety. The handbook states:

"Special consideration should be given to providing accessible surfaces in a play area. Equipment selection and location along with the type of protective surfacing are key components to ensuring the opportunity for children with disabilities to play on the playground."

Papan says the equipment will be removed by the public works department shortly. "As soon as they can get out there, they need to remove it." 

In a related matter, the landing surface - or fiber - underneath playground equipment at highly-popular Central Park has to be improved, and deepened. "We have to have a soft landing surface," says Papan. Improving the fiber will cost taxpayers a little over $9,000.

The estimate to replace the ADA non-compliant gear at all three parks is estimated to be approximately $117,350. The city will probably look for private funding to help defray some or all of the costs.

There is even the thought a park could be renamed with an appropriate donation. "If a company wants to step up to the plate, we could name a park after them," says Papan. "These are the kinds of things modern cities are doing."

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