It’s taken years to get rolling, but the Linda Beach tot lot renovation is finally underway. The project will replace the aging playground equipment there, create ADA access to the playground, replace the playground sand with ADA compliant matting, and add a bottle filling station that has been heavily requested by park users. The city says it expects the project to be complete by the end of the year.
Removal of the existing playground equipment and sand removal started last week, the city said.
The new playground equipment was selected after multiple discussions at Park Commission and Recreation Commission meetings, input from playground users (including children) at two public events, and an online survey.
The total project cost is $400,000, funded 75% from the City’s Facilities Capital Fund and 25% from a $100,000 donation from the Piedmont Beautification Foundation (PBF).
PBF has a long history of supporting children’s play areas in local parks
The $100,000 contribution follows a long history of PBF support for Piedmont’s tot lots, including the Lower Dracena Park tot lot (1979), Wildwood School tot lot (1989),and Piedmont Park tot lot (1991). This legacy continues with this project as well as their upcoming Fall 2025 campaign, which will raise funds to support replacing the Piedmont Park tot lot swing set. The former swing set was removed in September 2024 due to structural damage. Replacement of the Piedmont Park swings is a funded project in the city’s 2025-26 budge; PBF contributions will offset and supplement this funding. (While not considered a tot lot, the area around the Bufano Bears, acquired by PBF in Crocker Park in 1980, has become a popular place for small children to play.)
Photos courtesy of the City of Piedmont