Mayor Barlow announces start of construction on new Breitbeck Park Playground – Oswego County Today
OSWEGO – Mayor Billy Barlow today announced that the City of Oswego Public Works Department has begun construction on the demolition of the current playground at Breitbeck Park to make room for the playground. incoming games of $550,000 which will be built in June.
The new playground was custom designed to include Central New York’s first wheelchair-accessible ride and to reflect some of Oswego’s local landmarks with a nautical theme, while complementing other recent projects and investments made by the city in the park, such as a water playground, a mini-golf course, a concession stand and the installation of panoramic gazebos and fire pits.
“I am delighted to finally be able to replace the old and dangerous playground at Breitbeck Park with a playground that will add to our recent projects and provide a fun and unique experience for our youngsters,” said Barlow. “Throughout my administration, we have renovated and upgraded several city parks, playgrounds and common areas to make Oswego more accessible to everyone and a better place to visit, live and raise a family. By replacing this playground, we complete our set of projects making Breitbeck a destination point with something for everyone.
Last December, the City of Oswego secured a $413,000 grant from New York State to pay for the cost of the project, while the City Council approved additional funding of $140,000 to complete the project. The playground was designed by Ithaca-based Parkitects in consultation with city staff.
Following the removal by the DPW of the existing structure, Parkitects will arrive to assist the DPW in installing the new structure. During demolition and construction, the play area will be closed and the public is asked to avoid the construction area in the park. The new playground is expected to be built and open by July 1.
“I am delighted that we are replacing the former fragmented playground at Breitbeck Park,” said First Ward Councilor Susan McBrearty. “Several activities are outdated and do not comply with current accessibility standards. I appreciate Mayor Barlow’s commitment to improving all of our municipal parks. I would also like to thank the staff of the Community and Economic Development office; their grant-writing skills helped secure funds to offset some of the costs. I know we are all looking forward to the new playground opening in July.
The completion of the Breitbeck Park Playground will add to the list of improved areas around the community. In 2018, the city built and opened its first dog park and replaced the existing playground at Kingsford Park Elementary School.
In 2019, the city worked with Parkitects to design and build the community’s first ADA accessible playground in Hamilton Park to accommodate people with physical disabilities. Last month, the city began preparing the site for a $500,000 skate park that will be installed this fall.
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