New playground equipment for the Marthasville City Park is estimated to cost nearly $60,000. The city, along with a committee comprised of park board member Don Deeker, business owner Trei Irwin and Alderman Leo Tobben, are soliciting donations to help purchase the equipment. Deeker said the proposed idea would be presented at a Chamber meeting and letters asking for support would be mailed to members. The old equipment, considered unsafe, was removed in August. A rendering of the proposed playground can be viewed at Marthasville City Hall. The bid price the committee received on the equipment, from Hutchinson Recreation and Design Inc., was between $59,000 and $60,000. The two main components include separate areas for younger and older children and feature an assortment of slides and climbing apparatus. Under the proposal, the larger play area features a 25-foot-tall tower to be used by children ages 5 to 12. A smaller, separate version is designed for children ages 2 to 5, Deeker said. In addition, the proposed rendering shows a swing set with six belt seats and two tot seats, three benches and two barbecue grill pits. So far, Valent Aerostructures-DACA Division, formerly DACA Machine and Tool, has pledged a donation for the new equipment and the city intends to contri-bute as well. However, those amounts have yet to be announced. It was Deeker’s hope to have the equipment in place by the spring. The committee plans on having a sign displaying the names of donors at the park. “The good news it can be done in components,” he said. “It doesn’t have to be done exactly like this.” Not included in cost estimate is the ground surface. However, the city intends on applying for a scrap tire playground material grant from the Department of Natural Resources. Tobben said the proposed price came in much cheaper than anticipated. “It’s going to make it a nice park,” he said. Additional costs would be incurred if a company supervisor is needed to be present when the equipment is installed or if a storage container is needed on-site. Whenever that point is reached, Deeker hopes the delivery can be scheduled when community volunteers are available to help erect the playground equipment. The old playground equipment was removed in August after the board learned it was unsafe. An inspection was performed by Brad Busekrus, grounds/maintenance director for the city of Warrenton, who is certified in playground maintenance. Upon learning of Busekrus’ recommendation at the Aug. 10 board meeting, city staff roped off the area immediately. The equipment was removed later that week. Anyone interested in joining the committee or donating to the initiative can contact Deeker at 636-433-5474 or dondeeker@centurytel.net.