Sentinel staff report–
Families and children in Citrus Heights will soon have a new playground to explore and enjoy at Rusch Park.
Visuals of the new playground provided to The Sentinel by the Sunrise Recreation and Park District show a large colorful playground with multiple slides, tubes, climbing features and a swing set area. The new structure will replace the existing playground nearest the covered picnic area and the community center, with closest access off Auburn Boulevard.
Demolition of the existing playground is slated to begin Sept. 23, with the new playground beginning install in October and a completion date anticipated by Nov. 22 of this year, according to District Administrator Dave Mitchell.
Mitchell told The Sentinel the new design was selected out of a total of 14 different playground proposals. He said out of five different review sessions, four of which involved community members, all selected the winning design as the best option.
The cost of the playground is approximately $350,000, according to the park district.
The Citrus Heights City Council voted last month to allocate $86,000 from a Park Facilities Impact Fee Fund to go towards the playground replacement. The fund is made up of revenues from impact fees that are imposed on new development projects in Citrus Heights.
The council also allocated another $4,000 to go towards the installation of live-streaming security cameras at Rusch Park.