Thanks, but no Thanks, for KaBooming my park.

We live near the Wirth Court Park, and wanted to express our dismay over it's recent renovation. Not only was this renovation completely unnecessary, but it was executed in a very top-down, non-community oriented manner.

The first we heard about this was in May or June, in an announcement that addressed the matter as settled. There was no community meeting to discuss FIRST!! "DO we need to Renovate the playground at Wirth Court?", to be followed up with a 'design' meeting if there was an out-pouring of support for a revamp. It is clear from visiting them, that there are other neighborhoods that are in far greater need for playground equipment.

Wirth Court Park needed, at best, a few pieces to be upgraded or repaired. Perhaps the donation by KaBoom! could have been spread over several parks and made better parks for many kids in Madison. But a small repair session here and there wouldn't create the big media hype required by KaBoom!, would it?

Sadly, the Wirth Court Revamp has removed all the small, low activity pieces, like the spring-mounted Horse and Turtle, used mostly by very small toddlers at he park. Now there is nothing for them, and therefore no reason for parents with small toddlers to use the park at all.
I am saddened by the process used to revamp Wirth Court Park, and I am unsatisfied in the final result.


Shame on Kaboom! and Shame on the Goodman Community Center.