Work begins on Osborn Playground replacement project

LEAVENWORTH—The playground at the former Osborn Elementary School site is officially gone, and new equipment is on the way. Under the Osborn Playground Replacement Project, the site will receive a new, inclusive playground, with an anticipated opening date by late summer.

“It's going to look really different, really quickly, over the next few weeks,” said Communications and Special Projects Manager Kara Raftery. 

After demolition, the next steps will be pouring concrete and installing equipment. The project is expected to take approximately six to eight weeks.

“Overall, [construction] should be minimally disruptive, because the site is so contained to the actual playground site,” said Raftery.

The playground will include a swing set and two play structures, one designed for children ages two to five and the other for children between the ages of five and twelve. Other equipment includes an inclusive whirl, sensory dome, and vista arc sphere, which were chosen by the community through a survey. The playground will sit on poured-in-place rubber surfacing, which is designed to be more conducive to mobility devices. 

For adults, the design includes a set of exercise equipment, as well as a walking track that circles the playground.

“The playground was in dire need of a facelift, and hopefully, we exceed the community's expectations with the new playground,” said Raftery.

According to the city’s website, the City of Leavenworth purchased the Osborn Elementary property in 2020 after the Cascade School District Board voted to surplus the property in 2019. In July 2023, the city council directed a neighborhood playground committee to form. The committee received approval from the Council at the end of March to purchase new playground equipment.

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media