Since it opened in June, the Spray and Play at Veterans Memorial Park has been busy on a regular basis and the city of Delaware’s Parks and Natural Resources Department has met with the facility’s contractors to address public concerns.
While contractors have taken care of the issues concerning the artificial turf at the Spray and Play’s playground, the city will continue to monitor the area for additional corrections, according to a parks monthly report for tonight’s agenda of a Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting.
Staff will meet with the contractors next month to determine steps to prevent additional issues.
In addition to the agenda, the department has proposed a shelter rental policy for the Spray and Play and the city’s other parks.
Parks director Ted Miller proposes implementing a two-block model for the Spray and Play, starting on Labor Day. The city would offer two four-hour windows — from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 to 8 p.m. — which families could rent, he said.
A family could also rent both blocks. The model would be applied to all shelters next year.
Miller will also propose a new shelter fee schedule to the board. The shelter at the Spray and Play and the three-season shelter at Mingo Park would cost $40 and $60 on the weekdays; $60 and $80 on the weekend for residents and nonresidents, respectively. All other shelters would be $20 and $30 on weekdays and $50 and $70 on the weekends based on residency. Shelters would require a $50 deposit to ensure rentals are cleaned up when residents are finished using them.
“This is only a suggestion and is comparable to other parks in the area,” Miller said in a memo to the board.
The current model includes an hourly rate of $15 per hour at a majority of shelter houses on weekends and weekdays, regardless of residency. For the three-season shelter at Mingo, the hourly rate is $20 on weekends and $15 on weekdays regardless of residency; the shelter can also be rented all day for $100 on weekends and $75 on weekdays. The Spray and Play only has an all-day rate of $150 on weekends and $75 on weekdays.
The Parks and Natural Resources Department are looking into a new online system to rent out its shelters. It’s collaborating with the YMCA and software company Active Network.
In other business, the board will:
• Consider the Delaware Cricket Club’s request for a cricket field.
• Reconsider the naming policy for parks and facilities.
• Discuss play equipment for Lexington Glen Park.
The board will meet at City Hall, 1 S. Sandusky St., at 7 p.m. today.
