South Mill Pond Playground

This project, included in the capital budget for FY25, is to replace the existing South Mill playground with a new, universal design, ADA-compliant, age-friendly, inclusive playground. Along with the playground overhaul, the project includes the addition of ADA-compliant, family-friendly restroom facilities instead of the port-a-potties, and also includes an upgraded parking lot.

The goal is to convert South Mill Pond Playground into the most utilized, dynamic, barrier-free destination playground for Portsmouth and its visitors and the gold standard for Universally Accessible and Inclusive playgrounds.

The playground is part of the Recreation Department's South Mill Pond Recreation Complex that incorporates pickleball, basketball and tennis courts, as well as Leary Field and the dog park. This area is also host to multiple city events such as the July 3 fireworks and the Easter Egg Hunt.

In November 2023, the City contracted with SLR International Corporation (SLR), an international environmental consultancy that provides a broad and diverse range of technical and environmental capabilities. SLR’s professionals include landscape architects, engineers, planners, environmental scientists, geologists, remediation specialists, and regulatory and compliance specialists. SLR is well qualified to collaborate with the City and stakeholders on this project based on their extensive experience providing detailed playground designs that meet and exceed the latest Americans with Disabilities Act and Universal Design standards; playground safety guidance from their in-house Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI); public participation and their National Charrette Institute’s certified designers.