Blue Ridge’s downtown playground will open once again but with fresh mulch.
The decision came after many months of feuding among council members and a long, heated debate during Monday’s special called meeting, December 30.
Councilman Mike Panter led the discussion explaining that when he began the project, he was alarmed at its state.
He pointed out that the slide is one of the highest in the country, and the mulch had not been maintained.
Panter suggested, and advocated for, the purchase of rubber padding and turf, which he claimed to be cheaper in the long run, safer and more hygienic.
Councilwoman Rhonda Haight countered Panter’s argument that the turf is safer by saying they both have the same safety ratings, and their annual inspection has never had any negative feedback concerning the safety.
The price to have a drainage system, leveling and installation of the turf completed would be around $60,000 with a 15-year warranty, Panter said.
Agreeing that the turf is a good idea, Councilman Nathan Fitts said, “I love your idea. I think you’ve done a great idea, you’ve done your research. I would love to see the downtown park have this.”
He then asked what it would cost to get the park operational with mulch for the time being.
According to Panter, it would cost $10,000 to $12,000 plus another $1,000 to have it inspected, and it still wouldn’t have a drain.
The mulch would then need refreshed after four to six months, he said.
Panter stressed that placing more mulch in the playground would be costly in the long run.
Haight countered Panter explaining that she has a quote for around $8,000 on the mulch.
She also challenged the claim of a 15-year warranty on the turf saying that it is a limited warranty with each five years.
Panter claimed the warranty is prorated after five years.
Fitts then questioned whether the city should just remove the tallest slide since it is the root of the issue, and Councilman Harold Herndon pointed out the fact that the city pool has been non-operational as well.
Additionally, Panter accused the former council, those responsible for upgrading the playground area last, of missing out on grant opportunities and not maintaining and budgeting adequately for the project.
“I follow rules,” former council member and spearhead of the project Angie Arp said of the accusations that the project went over budget. “And I got everything approved.”
“I lived it. I was there,” Haight said. “This thing started in 2015 November, and we started, we did get a grant, you’re right. We got a grant for a $125,000. At that time, Ms. (Donna)Whitener went down to the park, yanked all of the equipment out, left it totally blank, and Harold will remember this. He was here with me. At that time, she started doing a botanical garden. ... We spent over $5,000 in putting a sprinkler system.”
Haight corrected herself just after stating that over $7,000 was spent on the sprinkler system.
In continuing, Haight said, “And the mayor kept telling the entire council, ‘Oh, this will go back, this is going back.’ And, after we saw what was happening, we knew that it wasn’t going back.
“There was gonna be no park equipment. There was going to be a botanical garden, which is what the grant was for, so when he (Panter) tells you we received a grant, he’s right. We received it for a botanical garden, but not for a park, and the park is what the people want, so the council at that time – she had already taken it on herself, she spent the $7,000, and she kept telling us this is going to, this will work around the playground equipment. This sod will be what’s affective for our, for the padding.
“We believed it, and then it continues on and on and on. She keeps bringing books to us from the Kiwanis, throwing them down here, ‘Will y’all pick something.’ And we’re all like, ‘We don’t even know what we’re picking. What is it you are wanting to design?’ This went on for months and months and months, so when eventually, we finally, the council said, ‘The people were furious with us. We need a park.’
“If Ms. Arp had not intervened, it never would’ve gotten done, so we had to go back and tear out the botanical part just to put in the playground back where it wanted to go. ... That’s probably where all that money is that you’re talking about that went over budget.”
In response to Panter’s points that a drainage system is needed in the playground, Haight added that in 2017 she moved to have the system corrected.
“Your husband was down there helping with that,” Whitener said interjecting.
She added that Haight’s husband helped the city in grading the park.
“He did not help with any grading,” Haight said countering the claim. “Are you insane? Have you lost your mind? Seriously, I’m just wondering because what your reality and what really happened, Donna, is not anywhere where it should be. I mean I’m sorry that was probably – you need to check your facts.
“I think you’ve told so many lies over the years that you don’t know, you don’t know what the truth is. ... My husband did not do any of the work down here. If he did, he did it on a volunteer basis. He was never paid in any sort of fashion, so if he helped you, it was because he wanted to help the city.”
Fitts spoke up saying that the council needs “to do what is best for the citizens right now,” and the council needs to just “get it to code” for the citizens.
Panter later claimed that he has only received one complaint personally on the park being closed.
“You keep talking about upset, I’ve not had one call,” he said. “I’ve had one email, and that’s it.”
With that and more said, Councilwoman Robbie Cornelius moved to go forward with purchasing the turf, but the motion failed as a result of oppositions by Herndon, Fitts and Haight.
Panter then asked who plans to oversee the park as he is “not interested in taking the liability.”
City Attorney James Balli later said that a council decision, such as adding mulch to the playground, cannot hold one individual liable.
Haight then moved to allot up to $10,000 to get the mulch, the drainage issue fixed and get the park up to code.
The motion passed with oppositions from Panter and Cornelius.
Planning, Zoning and Project Manager Jeff Stewart will take over the project as a result of Panter’s refusal to move forward.