Part of a popular tot lot in Coquitlam will close during its busiest month.
The city has budgeted $200,000 to replace the playground at Blue Mountain Park with new universal equipment as well as site upgrades such as drainage, pathways and surfacing.
Kathy Reinheimer, Coquitlam's parks and facilities manager, said the work had to be done in August - a warm, dry month - as a rubber surfacing is being installed, thanks to a $30,000 grant from Tire Stewardship BC.
"We've had to close part of the existing site as of Aug. 7 so that we can get started but we've left as much of the playground open as possible: the three horses, wagon, both large and small swing sets and a couple of spring toys will remain available," Reinheimer said.
As well, the spray park and wading pool will stay open and, until Sept. 1, the city is also offering a free, drop-in park play program at the following times:
1 to 3 p.m. on Mondays;
10 a.m. to noon and 5 to 7 p.m on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays;
and 10 a.m. to noon and 4 to 6 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
The partial playground closure, expected to wrap up late September, comes the same season the city filled in Rochester Pool with sand for another drop-in play program. City council is expected to make a decision this fall whether the pool will be rebuilt.
