Lincoln Park and Heritage Park will be undergoing an upgrade this year for the City of Lacombe’s playground renewal program. As part of the program, the city budgets $300,000 every other year for the replacement of the two oldest playgrounds in the community. 

The current structure at Lincoln park.

The current structure at Heritage Park.

“As existing equipment ages, the playground’s appeal to children diminishes, warranties expire, and deteriorating wood and plastic components eventually become unsafe and must be replaced,” said Councillor Jonathan Jacobson, the City’s representative on the Lacombe and District Recreation, Parks, and Culture Board. 

The city awarded the $274,445.12 contract to Vilmac Systems for the construction of the new playgrounds. Out of 10 proposals, the board was able to narrow the selection down to five where the remaining five structures were evaluated.

“We then evaluated the remaining five against the discretionary criteria, which included innovation, design, layout, maintenance, warranty, budget, and schedule,” said Debra Juch, Director of Community Services in Lacombe. 

Vilmac System’s proposals met all requirements and offered a couple unique elements. A parkour element will be featured in the park at Heritage Park and a spinner will be featured at Lincoln Park. Both are elements that Lacombe’s parks currently don’t feature.

The structure to be built at Lincoln Park. Photo courtesy of the City of Lacombe. 

The structure to be built at Heritage Park. Photo courtesy of the City of Lacombe. 

Ground cover for both of these playgrounds will be washed sand to encourage other forms of play. Adult fitness equipment will also be included on both playgrounds so that parents can work out and supervise their children on the new structures. 

The city hopes the new equipment encourages the development of motor, sensory, and social skills.