Loveland to Remove Playground Features at Three Parks in December
The City of Loveland will remove select playground equipment at Centennial Park, Fairgrounds Park and North Lake Park in early December as part of broader cost-cutting measures aimed at managing a $10.5 million budget deficit adopted in October 2024.
The removals affect aging equipment that has reached the end of its useful life and for which replacement parts are no longer available. A tire swing will be removed at Centennial Park, a cloud swing at Fairgrounds Park, and a small play space including a swing, climber and spinner at North Lake Park, along with an additional climber at a separate North Lake playground.
All other playground equipment at the three parks will remain accessible during and after the removal process, according to a November 20 announcement from the city.
Budget Reductions Drive Playground Decisions
The playground removals align with service reductions implemented across city departments after Loveland City Council approved the fiscal year 2025 budget on October 15, 2024. Parks and Recreation absorbed $2.95 million in cuts as part of the overall reduction.
Loveland faced a significant revenue shortfall in 2024 as costs for maintaining infrastructure and providing services exceeded available revenue, a gap that had been widening since 2016, according to city budget documents. The 2025 budget required reductions across Public Works, Parks and Recreation, Library and Police departments.
The Parks and Recreation cuts forced the city to prioritize safety-critical maintenance and high-traffic facilities while eliminating features that could no longer be repaired within budget constraints.
"By removing only the features that have reached the end of their useful life, the City aims to extend the longevity of the remaining park and playground infrastructure," the city stated in its announcement.
Equipment Lifespan and Part Availability
Commercial playground equipment typically lasts 15 to 20 years, with moving components like swings and spinners requiring replacement at the lower end of that range due to greater wear, according to national recreation and park industry standards. Tire swings, cloud swings and specialized climber designs often become difficult or impossible to repair once manufacturers discontinue older product lines.
Replacement parts for playground equipment older than 15 years are frequently unavailable as manufacturers phase out legacy products to accommodate evolving safety codes. Supply chain disruptions since 2020 have further complicated procurement of obsolete components, forcing municipalities to remove features when safe repair is no longer feasible.
Annual maintenance costs for high-use playground features typically range from $200 to $500 per item for inspection, lubrication and minor repairs, excluding major component replacement. Replacement parts for major-brand swings, climbers and spinners range from $150 to $900 each when available, though obsolete formats may have no commercial availability at any price.
Loveland Operates 34 Parks and 30 Playgrounds
Loveland maintains 34 parks and 30 playgrounds serving neighborhoods across both Larimer and Weld Counties. The system includes neighborhood parks, community parks, destination facilities, trails and open space.
Loveland's park system falls in the middle range compared to neighboring Front Range communities. Fort Collins operates 52 parks and 48 playgrounds serving approximately 171,000 residents, while Greeley maintains 39 parks and 31 playgrounds for about 113,000 residents. Windsor operates 25 parks and 18 playgrounds for roughly 39,000 residents.
The Parks and Recreation Department has documented a maintenance backlog for parks infrastructure, with the city prioritizing safety-critical repairs and postponing non-urgent renovations due to budget constraints. Maintenance spending per park has been proportionally reduced under the 2025 budget.
Regional Trend of Equipment Removals
Selective removal of aging playground features has become increasingly common across Northern Colorado as municipalities manage fiscal pressures and equipment replacement costs. Greeley and Windsor have each removed or closed selected playground features in recent years due to similar budget challenges and equipment obsolescence.
The focus on removing only end-of-life, non-repairable features rather than entire playgrounds reflects both industry best practices and regional municipal approaches to budget management and regulatory compliance.
Additional information about Loveland's parks system is available at lovgov.org/parks.