Good news - it looks like Jackson’s 3rd Graders have been awarded new playground equipment at Detert Park!  In December of last year, the City of Jackson issued a request for proposals for new playground equipment for children age two to twelve, with a maximum budget of $60,000.

The city received seven bids, which were eventually narrowed down to four comparable bids. The city turned to Jackson’s youth for help in making the final determination.

Three Third grade classes at Jackson Elementary were polled by viewing large, color presentations of each proposed playground.  The winner, North State Playgrounds, was chosen by a landslide majority vote of over 70 percent!

The new equipment will included a large climbing structure, with attached bars, walls, poles, and multiple slides, a teeter-totter, and several benches.  For children age two to five, there will also be a smaller play unit.  Most importantly, the bid includes safe, wood-fiber surface materials instead of wood chips, and the area will include an ADA-approved ramp. The new playground will replace the old, metal equipment currently located in the sandy area behind the Jackson Pool. The city hopes to have the playground installed and open to the public in time for Clean Air Green Day, on April 19th.