A parent’s request for improved accessibility at the Barnum playscape prompted the Town of Cheshire Building Committee to discuss options that would allow students who use wheelchairs to participate more fully. Committee members described site visits to large community playscapes and said the most inclusive solutions — a fully poured-in-place rubber surface and ramped apparatus — typically serve townwide facilities and can cost significantly more than school-level upgrades.

Staff reported a quoted estimate of roughly $300,000 for the rubber surface on the playscape area discussed, with a typical lifespan of about 10 years and an additional resurfacing/treatment cost that could be significant at replacement. The state reimbursement framework is expected to cover a majority of the cost (the presenter said these surfacing elements would be reimbursable). Committee members discussed lower-cost alternatives such as rubber pads in targeted fall zones, accessible station features, and communication boards for nonverbal students; those options would cost a few thousand dollars and could be funded from existing parent accounts or smaller line items.

Committee members asked Summer (the playground design representative) to return to the next meeting with a tiered set of options — "good, better, best" — including graphics and approximate costs so the committee can weigh trade-offs. Staff also recommended delaying final surfacing work until weather permits and to avoid installing wood chips until closer to project completion.