Some creative thinking and teamwork by two THPRD departments (Maintenance and Athletic Facilities) has resulted in an elevated boardwalk at Center Street Park that will keep park users dry after an equally industrious beaver caused a portion of the park’s concrete pathway to become flooded.
That pathway was covered by water after the busy beaver built a dam in a wetland area on the south side of the park near Center Street.
The boardwalk, which was designed by the Athletic Facilities Department, was completed at a savings of several thousand dollars. Part of the savings came from the decision to recycle wooden bleacher boards THRPD crews had recently removed from area athletic fields.
The boards were dried, sanded, and repainted with paint mixed with a product called Tread-Tex that will give the boardwalk grip for safety.
“This really was a great example of a collaborative effort between two Park District departments,” said Jason Monaghan of Athletic Facilities. “I think this is something our patrons will find very useful.”
The boardwalk was built in 4-by-6-foot sections, is removable, and is ADA-accessible, Monaghan said.
Monaghan, who is a licensed contractor, said the boardwalk was built for just $2,300. Had the project gone out for bid, the cost likely would have been anywhere from $9,500 to $11,500, he said.
