Slide With a Cop: New City Playground Will be Next to Janesville Police Station

Under construction now, the new playground at the corner of North Franklin Street and Laurel Avenue sits on a half-acre lot just east of the Janesville Police Services Building on the west side of downtown.

The city lot, one location tapped for a playground expansion approved for construction this year, is also across the street from dozens of families who live in the River Flats apartment complex, the Signature 23 apartments, and other nearby units.

The playground itself, complete with three curvy slides, park benches, swings with music and lights, and public art installations, sits just opposite the entryway to the police department’s garage and sally port.

That makes it likely that youths playing at the playground there may see dozens of police coming and going daily.

Janesville Deputy Police Chief Chad Pearson said although police weren’t initially involved in discussions about siting of the new playground, its unique location offers a benefit to both youth and police who might cross paths.

“I see it as a bonus that our officers would have a chance to be able to interact with some of the community’s kids and their parents while they’re playing. It’s a non-threatening opportunity for our officers to be able to communicate with them,” Pearson said.

Jack Combs, a city parks division employee, on Wednesday was framing up two forms where he said he believes concrete slabs will be poured to support public art installations next to the playground.

Earlier this year, Shelley Slapak, the city’s recreation director, said the new mini park is one of several projects the city is tackling to offer expanded amenities, including a new ninja course-style playground at Bond Park on the west side.

The park joins other outdoor amenities in the city’s downtown area including a splash fountain at the ARISE Town Square and an exercise station—both located along South River Street.

Pearson said having a playground near an area where police officers come and go is similar to other Janesville police-sponsored outreaches such as the department’s “Shop with a Cop,” “Coffee with the Chief,” and National Night Out.

Except it could be the first time some children would see an officer, in uniform, climbing on the monkey bars or cruising down a big, green curly slide.

‘The benefit for kids, especially the younger ones, is they can see the human side of the job,” he said. “They’re not going to just see officers in a uniform, they’re going to see the human side of these officers.”

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