Members of the Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department’s Board of Directors, Monday evening, received updates on projects at the Schildberg Recreation Area (SRA) and Sunnyside Park. Parks Director Seth Staashelm said “We’re moving right along with the Schildberg Rec Area Projects, including a red metal roof shelter to be constructed on the west side of the quarry area, near the parking lot. The shelter will be 30-by-50-feet long, with an accessibility path to the parking area. It also leaves room for a future playground on the west side of the SRA. The Board elected to have the six metal columns surrounded by a stone veneer, similar to what you can see at the shelter at Sunnyside Park. They wanted a red roof to better coordinate with the color of roof on the Sunnyside Shelter and keep things uniform throughout the park system. The shelter will be equipped with electrical outlets on the columns, with LED lighting.

From left to right: Seth Staashelm; Erin McFadden; John Krogman; Stuart Dusenberry; Jolene Smith; Charlene Beane.

Staashelm said they won’t be able to start construction until sometime in April. He said also, the east side SRA playground equipment is in, and being kept in storage until sometime in late May. Once it begins, the project will take two-days to assemble under the guidance of the playground manufacturer’s representative/engineer. Volunteers will be needed to help assemble the pieces. The playground will feature 11-inches deep wood chips to act as a cushion if someone should fall. There will also be a small concrete pathway to help keep the fall material in-place, and six perforated steel-type park benches that will be sold as part of a fundraiser. Two of the benches are already sold. Persons who donate will receive a plaque on one of the benches.

Staashelm also reported work on replacing the Sunnyside Park Entrance Sign will probably begin in April. The old sign will be torn down and replaced with a powdercoated, arched black wrought-iron sign and brick fascade pillars. Staashelm also talked about the Parks Dept. 10-year Capital Improvement Plan priorities, which includes development of the Schildberg Area over the next couple of years as the main priority.

There was also discussion on tentative plans to hold the 4^th of July Fireworks out at the Schildberg Rec Area, but that’s only an idea at this point – one Staashelm said is “Being pushed pretty strongly by certain groups” – not one being made by the Parks Board. Other entities are discussing where to hold the event, which is normally held at the Atlantic Municipal Airport. Parks Board Member John Krogman and President Stuart Dusenberry thought there should be much more discussion before permission is given to hold the event at Schildberg. The main concern was over a lack of parking. Board Member Charlene Beane said she wasn’t opposed to it though, if it was held on a barge in the middle of one of the three lakes.