Delays for new Lewes Canalfront Park playground

Construction delays have pushed the opening of the new Lewes Canalfront Park playground to spring.

Lewes City Manager Ellen Lorraine McCabe briefed mayor and city council on the project at a Dec. 9 meeting.

Work began in October, but McCabe said due to delays with equipment that was not shipped, preparations of the stone base needed for safety surfacing will not begin until the week of Jan. 20.

Installation of the safety surfacing will not start until mid-late March and take two weeks to complete, McCabe said.

“That’s unfortunate, but we certainly want it to be installed properly,” she said.

Assistant City Manager Janet Reeves said the playground should be finished by early April.

“The poured safety surface material must be installed during a period of weather which is 40 degrees and rising during the day. If there is an early warm spell, we may be able to complete the project earlier,” Reeves said.

Reeves said the delays will not impact the cost of the project.

The price tag is just under $400,000.

The city received a $125,000 grant from the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s Outdoor Recreation, Parks and Trails Program.

Reeves said the city has applied for a second grant of up to $100,000.

The playground is designed to be safer and more accessible than the previous equipment.

A sailing ship will be the a centerpiece of the play area.