A month ago our kids were full of anticipation that new playground equipment would be in at Hardy Recreation Center when seasonal holidays were over. Well, now the Tot Lot has four pieces of equipment installed, but no protective ground cover; the Kid's Lot has a new swing frame, but no swings; and the large wooden kids climbing apparatus that was demolished by DCDRP's contractor has no replacement!

How did the city get into the sorry state of having existing playground equipment torn out without having full sets to replace it? Causes are multiple: according to DCDRP's Diane Quinn, Council policy is that playground equipment is Operating Expense, not Capital. As residents, we don't know the full background, but the effect has been active promotion by DCDRP to neighborhoods forming "Friends Of…" groups to raise money for equipment. The department oversees standards, installation and provides e.g. wood chips and railroad ties as protection.

When Robert Newman came in as Director, he breathed energy and action to Recreation and Parks. His initiative that kicked off December '99's removal was citywide in some 27 centers, funded by "HeadStart" dollars. Hardy Rec Center doesn't run a HeadStart program, parents pay the full cost of the morning pre-school age program. However, for economies of scale DCDRP chose to use one pot of money for demolition at all 27 centers, but the federal funds for replacing the equipment could only be used at the 21 centers with HeadStart.

DCDRP had hoped Hardy could get new "spare" climbing apparatus apparently extra to HeadStart centers needs, but no sign of it. So now "Friends of Hardy" are caught somewhat flat-footed having to quickly spend modest cash reserves on protective barriers, plus fund-raise maybe $30, 000 (or more) for new equipment in both lots.