McGuan project beginning work

NORWALK — Work has begun on the McGuan Park revitalization project. The project, which is still accepting donations, will revamp the park with an all-abilities playground, a full-sized basketball court and two pump tracks. Park and recreation superintendent Joe Lindenberger said the installation for the full-court basketball court has begun. "Hopefully, in the next couple of weeks, we have concrete," he said. "We have the hoops, they have been delivered." Lindenberger said the hoops will be adjustable so anyone will be able to play. He said the bathrooms have now been gutted and Norwalk general services will be renovating them. Sarah Church, assistant project coordinator, said the support from Norwalk and surrounding areas is exciting. "We're almost there, it's happening. People are excited about all of the components," she said. "It's been a rough year for a lot of people, they don't have to contribute anything but they want to." The new all-abilities playground will be enclosed by a gate with a self-closing latch. Lake Erie Construction is donating the fence and labor to install. Lindenberger said the playground will be for all kids. The equipment will feature a double zip line track, one with an adaptive seat and the other for able-bodied children. "It's been exciting, we're getting really close," he said. Lindenberger said there will also be a sidewalk around the playground. He said all of the sidewalks in the park will be 5 feet across so wheelchairs can easily fit. The park will also have new benches, a flag pole, a drinking fountain and security cameras. He said many of the light poles that are currently in the park will be removed to allow for sidewalks and 30 to 40 feet of space between amenities. Lindenberger said the two baseball fields will stay where they are but the current playground equipment in McGuan Park will be removed. Close to where the equipment is located now, the pump track will be installed. With the larger pump track, Lindenberger said the track will qualify as a competitive track and in the future, they could have competitions on the track. The smaller pump track will be located near the new all-abilities playground and will be wheelchair accessible. Church said it will be the only wheelchair-accessible track in the state. She said the restrooms will be two individual, wheelchair-accessible bathrooms with touchless features. One will have an adult-sized changing table and the other will have a child-sized table. The current parking lot at the park will also be resealed and general services will put in curbs. Lindenberger said they've tried to think of everything they can for the park and have taken into account suggestions from the community. "A lot of thought has been put into each part and I hope people recognize that," Church said. Lindenberger said Norwalk Mayor Dave Light and city council have been incredibly supportive of the project. He said if they do miss something, "the great thing is, this can be continual, adding components as we go."