Politics & Government
A.B. Green Park Gets Greener With Recycled Surface
The playground surface made from recycled tires was bought with $10,000 DNR grant. The new material is expected to reduce maintenance costs.
The renovated safety surface, making the surface in play areas a little softer and the park a little greener.
The city received a $10,000 grant from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Scrap Tire Recycling Program for the $17,000 project to use a rubber safety surface made from recycled tires.
"A certain percentage of the recycled tires used were required to come from Missouri tires," said Tim Brunsman, park operations superintendent and city forester for the Parks and Recreation Cooperative.
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The grant funds come from a tire disposal fee charged to all consumers who buy tires in Missouri. The safety surface was purchased from a St. Louis-based company that grinds and colors the used tires for use in landscaping and playground surfaces.
The project also reduces maintenance costs.
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Brunsman said the city typically budgeted $1,800 annually to replenish the wood fiber, which had been used for a safety surface in the play area. That no longer is necessary.
"We're expecting the new surface to last 20 to 25 years," Brunsman said.
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