City of Lodi considers options for burned playground at Century Park

Six-year-old Ashton Lewis points to the burned portion of a playground at Century Park. Someone set the play structure on fire in multiple places Sept. 12, starting a blaze that destroyed at least half of it. (Maggie Creamer/News-Sentinel)

City of Lodi considers options for burned playground at Century Park

By Maggie Creamer
News-Sentinel Staff Writer

Saturday, October 3, 2009 6:50 AM PDT

Comments (8 comment(s))

While pointing at what used to be the slide on the playground at Century Park, 6-year-old Ashton Lewis stood with his mom, Lori Lewis, as the smell of burned plastic carried in the breeze.

Both were inspecting the damage to their neighborhood park, where the Beckman Elementary School first-grader used to play.

"I just cannot believe what these people have done to this park. ... They don't have any feelings for these children who come and play here," Lori Lewis said.

Someone set the play structure on fire in multiple places on Sept. 12, said Aimee Murry, Lodi Fire Department division chief.

There were no witnesses to the fire, and the only evidence was one burned lighter and another one nearby, but it is unclear if either was used in the fire, Murry said.

The Fire Department has no suspects or leads, she said.

The fire burned so hot that the plastic dripped off the top of the structure in thin sheets, and nothing remained of a slide that was once there. The curved ladders Ashton was just starting to climb were blackened, and some of the structural poles holding up the playground were burned through, causing it to lean.

The playground is divided in two sections connected by a bridge. One section is severely burned, while another portion on the other side of the bridge does not appear to have as much damage.

The city had GameTime, the playground manufacturers, evaluate the structure to see if it would be possible to salvage a section of the playground, said Steve Dutra, park superintendent.

A fire severely burned a portion of a playground at Century Park. Someone set the play structure on fire in multiple places Sept. 12, starting a blaze that destroyed at least half of it. The Lodi Fire Department has no suspects or leads. (Maggie Creamer/News-Sentinel)

The city has four options on what could happen with the playground structure, Dutra said. On the extreme ends, the city could either leave the playground as damaged and rope it off or remove the entire structure, so there would only be the swing set left at the park.

Another option is to remove the severely damaged portion, while leaving the other section in place if it structurally sound. The city would also remove the bridge and block off what used to be the bridge entryway.

If the city is able to salvage the less damaged section of the playground, there will still be a slide, a circular slide and a tic-tac-toe game.

The city could also replace the burned section with a brand new playground, but there is no money set aside for new play equipment, which can typically cost $40,000 to $60,000.

The playgrounds can last for about 15 years, depending on a variety of factors, including whether it is in bright sunlight, who is using it and whether it is being used as it is designed.

While no park is immune to vandalism, Century Park isn't usually targeted, Dutra said. He said the relative lack of things to do at the park probably contributes to why there is less vandalism.

From July 2008 through April 2009, there were no reports of vandalism at Century Park, according to numbers included in a May report to the Recreation Commission.

During the same time period, play places in other parks did have some vandalism. In August 2008, there was graffiti on a slide in Hale Park, costing the city $45.94 to remove, and in Nov. 10, 2008, the city spent $9.38 in staff time because of cuts on a belt bridge on play equipment in Legion Park.

While Lodi has seen its share of vandalism on play sets, it's not as bad as in some other communities, Dutra said. He said city staff works hard to make sure the equipment is safe for everyone.

A certified inspector evaluates the playground equipment monthly to make sure there are no safety hazards, Dutra said. The sets are also visually checked daily when maintenance workers walk through the park to pick up trash.

Lori Lewis is sad her son cannot play on the playground anymore, especially because the family doesn't have a car.

When asked if he was sad, Ashton nodded with a shrug and said the family will just have to walk to another park. Then, he started leaving with his mom until he remembered the swing set was still there. Fifteen minutes later, Lori Lewis was still waiting for her son, who laughed while swinging through the air.

Contact reporter Maggie Creamer at maggiec@lodinews.com or read her blog at www.lodinews.com/blogs/citybuzz.

Total calls for service since Jan. 1, 2007

Century Park has traditionally had less vandalism than other parks in the city, Steve Dutra, park superintendent, said. There are fewer amenities at the park, which probably contributes to low vandalism numbers, Dutra said.

Below is a list of police calls to several parks in the city, and what amenities are at each park.

Hale Park: 317 calls for service.
Location: 209 E. Locust St.
Open: Dawn to dusk.
Amenities: Basketball courts, a meeting room, playground equipment, a picnic area and restrooms.

Emerson Park: 136 calls for service.
Location: 11 N. Hutchins St.
Open: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Amenities: Baseball fields, horseshoes pit, playground equipment, a picnic area, restrooms and soccer fields.

Century Park: 63 calls for service.
Location: Corner of Century Boulevard and Church Street.
Open: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Amenities: Playground equipment and soccer fields.

English Oaks Common: 56 calls for service.
Location: 2184 Newbury Circle.
Open: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Amenities: Baseball fields, playground equipment and picnic area.

Katzakian Park: 53 calls for service.
Location: 2753 W. Turner Road
Open: Dawn to dusk.
Amenities: Baseball fields, basketball courts, playground equipment, picnic area and restrooms.

Source: Lodi Police Department and the Parks and Recreation Web site

Reader Feedback

bbtingey wrote on Oct 5, 2009 7:41 AM:

" Finish Century across the RR tracks. Finishing the street is in the General Plan and would take a lot of local traffic from Harney and Kettleman, especially since a shopping center and housing will be next to Blue Shield. Take this opportunity to extend Century Blvd! BB "

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alf wrote on Oct 4, 2009 2:59 PM:

" City of Lodi, fix this park playground. fix it now. cut back somewhere else. pay for equipment, have volunteers put it together. GameTime does this all the time. they are there during construction to make sure it is put in right. fix it. fix it now. "

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galtguy wrote on Oct 3, 2009 9:12 PM:

" "it could be a sex offender, because there is a strong motive factor"

Huh? What's the sex offenders motive again? He would burn down the item that brings child out to play? So they have no reason to come out and play? What's the motive there? "

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gray cloud wrote on Oct 3, 2009 5:25 PM:

" Someone did it.....parents, do you know where your kids are ???? "

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wowerzz wrote on Oct 3, 2009 11:31 AM:

" Mrs. S I agree with ya...this park used to be nice.....now its just a gangbanger hangout.....I think the city should tear it down completely and extend century blvd over the tracks...since so many kids cross the dangerous tracks to get to Tokay High..and it would reduce traffic on Church st for people who go around on kettleman..then Stockton St....would be very convenient.. "

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Mrs. S. wrote on Oct 3, 2009 10:12 AM:

" About twenty years ago, I used to take my kids there to play. It was still rather nice, and many families were there.

I still see families at this park when I drive past it, but it seems like they're outnumbered by gangsters and druggies now. Shame. "

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T & C wrote on Oct 3, 2009 9:24 AM:

" I can't believe that anyone would do such a thing. Children are innocent, and have no right to be a target. My gut instincts tell me it could be a sex offender, because there is a strong motive factor, but that is just my opinion. Gang members too, but they usually do not target things that entertain and delight children. They prefer drive-by shootings and 5 against one type attacks! In any event, I sure would like to have someone come forward and get this creep "Off the streets"! "

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charlotte_209 wrote on Oct 3, 2009 7:36 AM:

" My children live in the neighborhood and use this park OFTEN. The City of Lodi has plenty of civic groups who I'm sure could gather enough funds to donate to repair or replace this well-used equipment. My hope is that the Lodi Police Department boosts their patrol of the entire South Church Street corridor to lessen the presence of gang color and lower the crime rate. "

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