Latta Park playground upgrades will include shade
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Rendering: Courtesy of Mecklenburg County
Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation plans to upgrade the playground at Latta Park.
Why it matters: Shade is a hot commodity at local playgrounds and will be a key feature of the park's improvements.
The latest: The county recently released early design concepts with the Dilworth community. Neighborhood feedback will inform the design process.
Zoom in: Replacing the playground falls within Park and Recreation's normal maintenance schedule. More shade is needed in the park to address the "natural canopy over the last two years," according to a county spokesperson.
What to expect: Early renderings call for swings, slides and exercise equipment. Mountains are not included.
By the numbers: The project is expected to cost between $400,000 and $500,000.
The big picture: Planting trees can provide future shade, but it usually takes 8-10 years of growth for trees to provide meaningful shade, Bert Lynn, director of Park and Recreation's Capital Planning Division, told Axios in a December interview.
- Shade structures like the ones expected at Latta Park are another solution, but they can be costly. Older parks tend to have more tree cover, which can be better in the summer months, Park and Recreation senior planner Katie Lloyd told Axios in a December interview.
What's next: The Latta Park playground is expected to be replaced by late winter or early spring, a Park and Recreation spokesperson tells Axios.
Stop by: 601 E Park Ave.