Saturday, March 30th, 2019
Sharkey hikes playground backing
Bryson plan gets major boosts
By William Kincaid
Submitted Photo
Local business owner Kathy Sharkey has provided funding for an extensive splash pad at the developing Bryson Park District. She recently announced she will also fund several pieces of playground equipment at the park.
CELINA - A Celina business owner is making a second substantial contribution to the Bryson Park District, this time committing $150,000 for the purchase of two pieces of equipment for a planned playground.
Ergo Desktop owner Kathy Sharkey's donation will pay for a spider climber and a climbing bridge, which will be situated near two extended, all-inclusive playground units consisting of slides and other amenities.
"I am just thrilled with this," mayor Jeff Hazel told the newspaper. "It's a big deal."
The spider climber is designed to allow for numerous children ages 5-12 to climb up to more than 20 feet high, Hazel said. It ostensibly supports positive risk-taking and encourages decision-making. The climbing bridge is another unit with similar aims.
In the coming weeks, a new Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible playground is slated to go up southeast of the Harley Jones Rotary Memorial Amphitheater.
The overseers of the Bryson Trust Fund, set up decades ago for the children of Celina, last year agreed to pay for the new playground equipment costing about $250,000.
City administrators said manufacturer GameTime through its 2018 Playground Grant program moved to shave $105,280 off the price of its package for Celina, lowering the total cost to $254,730.
The package entails a play structure, freestanding play panels and other amenities. The playground will cover more than 8,000 square feet and feature a poured-in-place rubber surface for fall protection, Hazel said. Officials aim to have it up by Memorial Day.
Council members last year accepted a $200,000 donation from Kathy Sharkey to construct a splash pad at the park in honor of her late husband, Daniel J. Sharkey. He died on Jan. 15, 2015, after a yearlong battle with cancer.
The base of the splash pad is complete. The equipment and parts will be installed in the spring.
"It's all finished from a flatwork standpoint," Hazel said.
It will span 2,827 feet and consist of multiple tubes and spray units that dispense water upon activation.
"There's nothing close to it around here," Hazel said, calling the splash pad a massive amenity.
