The red pencil may have to come out if efforts to raise $275,000 in the next few months for Redmond’s only all-ages, accessible playground is unsuccessful.

More than $400,000 has been raised so far, a combination of grants, city parks funds and donations solicited mostly by the Redmond Kiwanis Club, the group responsible for the existing play structure at Sam Johnson Park, which was installed more than 25 years ago.

Estimates for a replacement — five times larger and handicap accessible — have come in at $700,000. The playground design includes features for toddlers through teens and amenities such as shade pavilions, bike racks, benches and tables and security cameras.

Earlier estimates for the main playground ranged from $400,000-$500,000 but since then more elements were added, according to Heather Richards, Redmond community development director.

“After looking at how it was engineered, it made more sense to do it all at once,” she said. Reducing the overall size of the playground is always an option if the fundraising goal is not met by May, Richards added, which is the deadline for ordering equipment for a fall installation.

The aging playground drew attention in 2012 when a parent raised concerns about possible lead in its peeling paint. Tests showed lead was not a danger, but the city discussed replacing the structure anyway, with slightly less than $100,000 from the parks fund.

A parent group advocated for dreaming bigger and the plan for a larger playground welcoming to all ages and abilities was born.

According to Richards, grant applications for $275,000 are still pending and the city expects to know in the next three to six months whether the project will receive any of them.

Gary Ollerenshaw of the Redmond Kiwanis said the civic group has renewed its efforts this month to raise more funds for the playground.

“We’re looking for pledges if we can’t get cash in hand,” he said.

“But we’re going to keep going until we hit a brick wall.”

— Reporter: 541-548-2186, lpugmire@bendbulletin.com