BRIEFLY IN THE NEWS

-- Noaki Schwartz

The city will replace equipment on both playgrounds at West Newport Park

in order to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and safety

requirements.

Andrea McGuire, senior recreation manager, said the city would like to

get new equipment for preschool children at West Newport Park North and

schoolchildren at West Newport Park South.

Current safety regulations require separate play equipment for toddlers

and older kids. Unfortunately, both playgrounds are too small to comply

with the regulations, so the park will be split. One will be replaced

this year and the other next year.

The public is invited to offer input regarding the replacement of the

playground facilities at the next Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission

meeting Tuesday.

“[They can suggest] anything, like which playground is better for the

different age groups,” McGuire said. “They can give us input on types of

equipment if they want to.”

The commission will take public input at its Tuesday meeting, which

starts at 7 p.m. in City Hall, 3300 Newport Blvd.