Finance committee considers safety measures at Overton Park
A rock wall feature in Overton Park's newly installed playground equipment is at the center of a safety discussion in Homewood's April 19 finance committee meeting.
Resident Benjamin Hinton contacted Ward 4 Representatives Barry Smith and Alex Wyatt because of his concern that the rock wall, part of equipment installed at Overton earlier in 2016, is dangerous to younger park visitors. Hinton said the height of the wall and the gap at the top, which is right next to the entrance of the playground slide, could cause an accident.
Smith said she and Wyatt have visited Overton and agree with Hinton, who has a 4-year-old and a 1-year-old. The playground equipment company included a sign that the playground equipment is for children ages 5 to 12, but Hinton and the representatives said they saw mostly younger children when they visited the park.
The most likely option would be to make the rock wall a stand alone feature and put something more suitable for younger kids in its place on the main playground structure. However, Smith said this would likely cost over $8,000, and Ward 3 Representative Walter Jones pointed out that the city had just spent $48,000 to install the equipment.
The finance committee chose to carry over their discussion and meet with the Parks and Recreation Department in order to make a decision.
The committee also:
- Approved up to $10,000 to construct a protective railing on Saulter Road near Broadway, as it has been the site of several actions. This action must be approved by the full council.
- Asked the council to consider declaring a 2000 Chevrolet Impala, three 2007 Ford Crown Victorias and an incomplete engine as surplus.
- Asked the council to consider transferring up to $1,000 into the police department's polygraph operations budget.
- Carried over discussion of a traffic study on Reese Street to potentially make it a one-way from Central Avenue to Linden Avenue. This could potentially add more parking and make it safer for pedestrian and vehicle traffic.
- Carried over discussion of directional signs for downtown Homewood, as the committee is waiting for a new proposal.
- Carried over discussion of the city's mid-year review to the first May finance committee meeting.
The public safety and special issues committees will meet on April 25.