Shaded Areas Could Arrive In Dogwood Park Playground

Children and parents should be able to cool off under shaded spaces in Cookeville’s Heart of the City Playground soon.

Leisure Services Director Rick Woods said  three cantilever structures will be constructed over three playground benches.

“We can’t cover the entire playground with shade because of the design of the playground and the areas we need for safety for fall zones and what has to remain cleared,” Woods said. “It’s a pretty large space, so getting a cover for that would be expensive.”

Woods said the total price tag is about $11,000. He said it takes four weeks after ordering for the structures to arrive, and about two weeks for installation. This project is part of Dogwood Park’s master plan.

The 12,000 square foot playground has maxed out playing space, leaving no extra room for other structures.

“You have to have areas that are dedicated for fall zones depending on how high something goes, walkways that cannot be interfered with or interrupted because of playground safety standards,” Woods said.

The only source of natural shade comes from river birch trees growing west, Woods said.

The city council will vote on the project Thursday.