The wooden structure Leathers playground, which has been a fixture at Parma Town Park for the past 14 years, will be replaced later this fall thanks in part to a $50,000 Community Development Block Grant administered through the Monroe County Community Development Program.

"In recent years, there has been much public concern associated with the health risks of play structures constructed with preservatives containing CCA (chromated copper arsenate)," Steve Fowler, director of recreation for the town stated in a press release.

"In November 2001, and again in May 2002, the town board commissioned independent studies which concluded that exposure to CCA on our structure and in the ground locations immediately around the play structure did not pose a threat to playground users. The findings of these two studies can be contributed to the scheduled maintenance performed by the town parks department, especially treating the wood with a polyurethane seal," Fowler stated.

Late last year, Governor Pataki signed a law prohibiting the construction of new public playgrounds which use CCA treated lumber. This legislation, along with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency findings recently published, helped steer the town board toward replacing the jewel of the community, Fowler said.

Parma Supervisor Rick Lemcke said "mixed emotions will guide this project; our wood structure playground has been a focal point of our town park for many years, built by volunteers and creator of cherished memories. The town is fortunate to be receiving the financing to go forward with this project, and it will be our charge to replace the wood structure playground with one our kids can enthusiastically accept."

Plans are the town to dismantle the playground in September after school is back in session and have the new playground erected prior to November 1. At present, the town is receiving proposals from several play structure manufacturers.

The new playground structure will be situated in a 90-foot by 90-foot boxed-in area filled with a wood carpet play surface. Several of the playground amenities will include a megarock mountain climb, rock climbing ribbon wall, tube slides and cyberslides, a trapeze bar, space shuttle, and a log roll. "Within the play structure design will be a dedicated area recognizing the Leathers structure, as well as retaining our Blossom Lane entrance which properly acknowledged Bernice and Alan Blossom, whose vision and commitment made building the Leathers playground a reality," Lemcke said.