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Politics & Government

Trenton OKs Purchase of New Slocum-Truax Playground Equipment

City Council approved a vendor to build the new playground equipment for Slocum-Truax Park. The project should be finished by September.

Trenton City Council approved the purchase of new playground equipment for from Miracle Recreation of Michigan playground manufacturers at Tuesday night's meeting.

Trenton's Parks & Recreation Director Patrick Hawkins said they chose Miracle of Michigan, based in Okemos, for its low bid, safety standards and ease of construction.

"Safety and the community-build aspect were some of the factors in determining the manufacturer. The group came to a unanimous decision for the recommendation," Hawkins said.

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On June 29, the recreation staff and it members met to make their selection, keeping in mind the budget allotted for the project — $55,000.

The issue that was mainly discussed, however, was brought up by Council person McLeod, who raised a question in regard to the selected propisal's cost, which was $40,820.

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"I understand the $40,820 was the lowest bid. You then add the clause, 'and we will add a few components that will keep the project within the overall budget.' The way I read that is you think you have up to $55,000 to spend," said McLeod.

A debate over whether Slocum-Truax park did indeed require an additional $15,000 for added components ensued.

"The $55,000 isn't just for this equipment, we have to build in the cost for the service material," Hawkins said. "We also have the build in the cost for the concrete that we're gonna use.We have to build in a few other costs, and that's why we were all told we were going to be spending somewhere close to $50,000 on the equipment."

Price was important, but the ease of construction also factored into the decision. Like parks that have been restructured before Slocum-Truax, there will be a community build process—which means neighbors, volunteers and community members will help assemble the park.

"The biggest thing we looked at, and the most important thing, is the community build aspect," said Hawkins.

"We felt (the Miracle of Michigan equipment) could be put together by people who had no knowledge of playground equipment much easier than compared to some of the other ones that are over there," he said.

Councilman Terrence Teifer expressed his excitement for the community build, reflecting on past experiences.  "It ended up being a great playscape, but the community aspect of the project was really worth its weight in gold," said Teifer.

The project is set to be finished in late September or early October.

The community can't wait, Mayor Gerald Brown said.

"It's a long time coming for that park, people around there have talked to us many times about what do we have to do for Slocum-Truax Park, and it's finally coming to fruition.

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