This Monday evening photo shows the Savikko Park playground on South Douglas. The playground is set to be replaced throughout the summer as a part of the City and Borough of Juneau’s park improvement project. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

This Monday evening photo shows the Savikko Park playground on South Douglas. The playground is set to be replaced throughout the summer as a part of the City and Borough of Juneau’s park improvement project. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

New playground, improvements slated for Savikko Park

Construction at the park will begin Wednesday and last through August, city officials say.

South Douglas’ Savikko Park near the popular Sandy Beach is set to get an assortment of much-needed upgrades and improvements throughout the summer, according to the City and Borough of Juneau.

Beginning Wednesday, the city in collaboration with a private construction company, will begin its park improvement project which is slated to continue through August and includes a new playground, new street lights and accessible parking stalls, along with less glamorous upgrades, like improved drainage around the shelters.

According to the city’s project manager Michael Eich, the total cost of the improvements is about $1.4 million. Of that, $1 million is being pulled from funds generated from the general obligation bonds that voters approved during the 2020 general election, and the remaining amount of around $400,000 comes from the city’s sales tax funds.

According to the city’s announcement of the project, residents should anticipate portions of the parking lot to be closed to parking throughout the process, along with the Log Cabin Shelter being closed from July 10 through August 15.

Residents will still be able to access popular park amenities like the shelters, public restroom, Treadwell Mine Historic Trail and the Sandy Beach area, though alternative routes to those locations might be implemented throughout the project.

• Contact reporter Clarise Larson at clarise.larson@juneauempire.com or (651)-528-1807.

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