Resident urges fenced, ADA-accessible playground as commission weighs $1.6M Old Town redesign

At its Feb. 5, 2026 meeting, the Kenai Parks and Recreation Commission heard a public plea for fully fenced, accessible playgrounds and discussed funding for a major Old Town playground redesign.

Maeve Spiegler, who identified herself as an employee of the Independent Living Center, told the commission she wants ‘‘at least one public playground that is fully fenced in with a locking gate’’ to improve safety and accessibility for children and caregivers. Spiegler urged features including an ADA-accessible community garden, a wheelchair-accessible swing, sensory and musical play, unitary surfacing and safe, non-thorny berry access for children.

The request came during the unscheduled public-comment period and prompted follow-up questions from commissioners and staff. Spiegler said Forest Drive municipal park was her preferred site and that by “locking” she meant a controlled opening designed to keep children — up to about age 10, in her example — from leaving the playground area unintentionally. On materials she said chain-link fencing is a common, lower-cost option so long as installations meet applicable codes and ADA requirements.

Staff recapped 2025 work-plan accomplishments and capital projects related to playgrounds. A staff member told the commission that a community working group completed a 35% design for the Old Town playground with an estimated cost of $1,600,000. The staff member said the capital-improvement plan is being re-scoped to reduce costs and that the figure under current review is about $800,000. "So we're still gonna be looking at grant opportunities and partnership opportunities," the staff member said.

Commissioners and commenters emphasized accessibility priorities. Multiple speakers recommended unitary surfacing (to enable wheelchair access) and suggested fencing only around the smaller play area nearest the road and bluff rather than enclosing a larger open-field space. Spiegler said features such as quiet hiding spaces and sensory elements were requested by parents and children she consulted.

In related operational discussion, commissioners supported better attendance tracking at the Kenai Rec Center to strengthen future capital requests; staff said software and digital-capture options are under review.

The commission also handled routine business: nominations for chair and vice chair were taken and recorded, prior meeting minutes were approved and the next meeting was scheduled for March 5, 2026. The meeting adjourned thereafter.