Portsmouth City Council will be asked Monday to consider putting $100,000 toward the new Mound Park playground project, after the Hilltop Initiative has already raised $650,000 for new playground equipment.
The city money would not pay for the equipment itself. The Hilltop Initiative has already secured those funds.
Instead, the city’s $100,000 would help pay for a rubberized safety surface around the playground. That surface is especially important because the new playground will include ADA-compliant features, making it more accessible for children of all abilities.
A Playground Project Years in the Making
The Hilltop Initiative Neighborhood Association has been working for years to replace the outdated playground equipment at Mound Park.
Back in 2024, the group won a $200,000 ARPA grant to help move the project forward. Since then, the fundraising effort has grown to $650,000, with help from community members, businesses, donors, grant partners, foundations, and volunteers.
Now, the group is close to breaking ground.
But this project has required more care than a typical playground replacement.
Why Mound Park Is Different
Mound Park sits on top of a prehistoric Native American earthwork.
The park’s namesake mound is a horseshoe-shaped earthwork believed to be connected to the same Adena and Hopewell cultural network that once stretched across Southern Ohio.
That network includes major ancient sites such as Serpent Mound in Adams County and the earthworks complexes in Chillicothe and Newark, which are now recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Portsmouth’s mound is smaller, but it remains one of the last surviving signs of the large ceremonial centers that once lined the Ohio River.
Because of that history, the Hilltop Initiative brought in archaeologists to conduct a full survey before construction begins.
During the survey, they made an exciting discovery: a burn pit used for food preparation, located close to the surface.
That discovery forced the team to relocate the planned playground site to protect the artifact.
In everyday language, the group is not just building a playground. They are building around history.
Why the Rubber Surface Matters
The request going before City Council asks for $100,000 from the Capital Improvement Fund to help purchase and install the rubberized flooring surface around the new playground equipment.
Playground surfacing may not sound as exciting as slides, swings, and climbing equipment, but it matters.
Rubberized surfacing can help cushion falls, reduce mud and uneven ground, and make it easier for children using wheelchairs, walkers, or other mobility aids to reach and enjoy the playground.
Since the playground is being designed with ADA-compliant features, the surface is a key part of making the space usable for more children.
Groundbreaking Set for August
The Hilltop Initiative has announced a groundbreaking celebration for Aug. 4 at 6 p.m. at Mound Park.
The event is expected to include food trucks, games for kids, and remarks from major donors and community partners.
Construction is expected to begin in August, with playground equipment installation planned for mid-September. The project is expected to be completed this fall.
The group is still seeking donations to help finish the rubber safety surfacing. Families that donate $100 or more will be permanently recognized in the Mound Park Playground Donors Circle.
What Happens Next
At Monday’s City Manager’s Conference, council can choose to authorize legislation, modify the request, take no action, or reject the request.
If council moves forward, the ordinance would appropriate the $100,000 from the city’s Capital Improvement Fund for the playground surface.
For the Hilltop neighborhood, the project represents more than new playground equipment. It is a chance to bring Mound Park back to life while protecting the history beneath it.
The goal is a safer, more accessible playground where children can play, explore, and make memories for years to come.