Plans for playground expansion at library aim at November start

Work might start next month for an expanded playground at the Columbia County Library.

"There's a playground already out there, but it's for toddlers -- 2- to 5-year-olds," county Community and Leisure Services Director Barry Smith said. "This will be an expanded playground adjacent to it for older children -- 6- to 12-year-olds."

Officials say they hope to start advertising for construction bids next week to build the playground, a concrete pavilion linking the two playgrounds and a possible zero-depth fountain like the one at Riverwalk Augusta, Mr. Smith said.

"We're still in need of another $60,000 to do all three components," he said. "What we may do, if that money doesn't come in, is just do the pavilion and playground, then later do the water feature."

The preliminary construction estimate, Mr. Smith said, is $236,000.

The funding would come from county commissioners' 1-cent sales tax discretionary funds and a donation from the Metro Augusta Youth Foundation.

If construction starts in November, Mr. Smith hopes to complete work in time for a March ribbon-cutting ceremony that would coincide with the library's launch of its Books Alive program.

That program, also partially funded by the youth foundation, will use author visits, performances, book fairs and other programs to encourage children to read.

Work on a new playground at Blanchard Park recently concluded, Mr. Smith said.

Construction of a playground at Blanchard Woods Park might start before the year ends, he said.

Officials also hope to build a large playground at Wildwood Park at Thurmond Lake.

"That's probably going to be the biggest one in the county, per the master plan, but it's well into the future," Mr. Smith said.

The Wildwood Park playground is part of a $3 million improvement plan for the park listed on a proposed sales tax referendum facing Columbia County voters Nov. 4.

Reach Donnie Fetter at (706) 868-1222, ext. 115, or donnie.fetter@augustachronicle.com.