After recognizing December as Universal Human Rights Month, Hopkinsville City Council were presented with blueprints for the playground coming to Rotary Park and approved possible increases to water rates at their Tuesday meeting.
Miracle Playgrounds of Ky. & Tn. is a company based out of Leitchfield that designs and installs playgrounds. Josh Wagner from Miracle presented the proposed design for the playground at Rotary Park on Pardue Lane.
The playground is set to be around 13,600 square feet with multiple levels which are accessible by ramps. Wagner says the design focuses on universal and inclusive play for kids, parents and grandparents.
By making the playground accessible for children, Wagner says they are also making it accessible for adults who want to play with their kids. Wagner says they built a playground in Elizabethtown near Fort Knox. He says some active duty and retired service members have mobility issues or prosthetic limbs that could make navigating a traditional playground difficult.
The playground will also feature a sensory area which will include music related activities and a tranquility corner that serves to give children who might be overstimulated a spot where they can decompress.
Hopkinsville Mayor J.R. Knight says the city will begin taking bids for the construction of the park on Thursday.
Turning to discussion and approval matters, the council voted to annex an unincorporated property known as Newcomb Oil Co. LLC into Hopkinsville. Knight shared the property is set to be a service station which will include a convenience store and other buildings.
Concerning water rates in Hopkinsville, the council approved allowing the Hopkinsville Water Environment Authority to increase its wholesale water rates. The rate increase would be implemented in two phases.
By July 1, 2025, each 1,000 gallons of water consumed before the first 45,000 gallons will cost $5.80. Once 45,000 gallons are consumed, each 1,000 gallons will cost $3.39. Then the second phase will take affect starting on July 1, 2026 and each 1,000 gallons consumed after the first 45,000 gallons will cost $4.25.
Before the rate increase is implemented it has to be approved by the Kentucky Public Service Commission.
Then to conclude the meeting, the council approved a purchase agreement with the Hopkinsville Industrial Foundation for 6.48 acres of land at Commerce Park II for around $259,000. The funds are from a state grant and will go toward the creation of Ascend Way.
