BY REBECCA BENNETT — While the City of Hyattsville is still awaiting the final decision on a $125,000 grant to renovate the Deitz Park playground, Park Maintenance Supervisor Dawn Taft said the plan has since changed from a new playground to a complete renovation of the entire space.
“Our overall objective is to provide aspects of natural play, create education pockets for learning, increase the biological viability of the surrounding wildlife, bring [American Disabilities Act (ADA)] requirements up to standards and mitigate storm water,” Taft said about the park located in the 4100 block of Oliver Street.
According to the city, Hyattsville has partnered with the Maryland-National Capital Parks and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) and the Neighborhood Design Center (NDC) for what is now a large-scale project “that will not only upgrade the playground but also provide a native landscape design and upgrades to ADA requirements.”
“[M-NCPPC has] been very supportive of the project,” Taft said. “NDC is using grant funding to provide design services to address current storm water issues in the park.”
The city said it expects to hear about the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Community Park and Playgrounds Grant for Deitz Park in the next few weeks.
A input box has been set up in the Deitz Park pavilion and NDC shared a photo of some of the feedback it has already received.
A community meeting and brainstorming workshop is set for May 30 at 10 a.m. at Deitz Park.
