After the first few years of operation, one thing has become very clear to staff of Bridgeport Parks and Recreation when it comes to the still relatively new Bridgeport Recreation Complex. And that is that those that use it for the first time are generally impressed by it.

 

“For those most part, the comments we get are that people are  blown away by just how nice it is and that’s something we want to continue to hear by keeping what we have in great shape and by making sure future additions are of high quality as well,” said P&R Deputy Director Joe Shuttleworth.

 

Because of that, a new playground planned to be situated along the outskirts of one of the four fields (this one will be along the main roadway)isn’t going to consist of a few swings, a shelter and a slide. Instead, Shuttleworth said it’s going to be unique.

 

“People are blown by the facility and we want the same impact with the playground,” said Shuttleowrth. “The Rec Complex is state of the art from the Wi fi to how everything is done so we wanted something different. We have some things in mind and the main thing is that we want something memorable. Bascially, we want something that is one of a kind.”

 

The bids process is for a “design build.” In other words, this won’t be coming out of a catalogue of playground supplied. Shuttleworth said the bids have parameters and that Parks and Recreation want the new recreational venue to be baseball themed. They also want the new playground to match the existing color scheme.

 

“This is grant funded and we’re encouraged to spend every penny of it and we plan on doing that,” he said.

 

Once the bids are received later this month, Shuttleworth said a panel will review them. From there, a determination will be made as to what the best option is for the money that is available.

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“The way we’re looking at this is getting the most bang for the buck,” said Shuttleworth. “We think by making the bidding process a competitive one that it will make the competitive get competitive with their creative process."

 

The project will be funded by a $30,000 grant from the Land and Water Conservation Fund. There is also a $30,000 grant match from the city, which gives $60,000 in available funds. The Land and Water Conservation Fund grant program is under the National Park Services and the grant is administered by the Community Development Division of the West Virginia Development Office.

 

Shuttleworth said the process being used is a little more time consuming that ordering stock pieces and installing them. While he said the new playground won’t be in place for opening day, he did say he anticipates it being read by early summer.

 

“The price of the product includes installation as well,” said Shuttleworth. “The one thing that our Parks staff will do is install a picnic shelter that is part of the project.”

 

For years, the city has successfully applied for grants through the Land and Water Conservation program. Funds from the program have been used for the construction of the Bridgeport swimming pool, the tennis courts, the boat docks and Hinkle and Deegan Lakes, the construction of Compton Park and the Sprayground. It’s also been utilized at the Recreation Complex where funds have been utilized for the basketball court and picnic area beyond the multi-purpose field.

 

The grant program in question has been in place for roughly 50 years. During that time, it has assisted in nearly 500 completed park projects in West Virginia.

 

“The main thing is to have an amenity at the complex that can be utilized by families during tournament,” said Shuttleworth. “You have long tournaments where families bring children that aren’t playing in the tournaments and having this will give the kids a nice recreational outlet, as well as a nice place for family members to relax.”

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Don Burton looking for the bid package for the new playground, while Joe Shuttleworth shows the area where the new facility will be constructed.