The Stillwater Board of Trustees approved upgrades this month to two village playgrounds, providing more recreational equipment for children and making security improvements at the new splash pad park.

Trustees, at their Aug. 20 meeting, authorized spending up to $4,000 on new fencing, a gate and locks to protect the new splash pad water park at the American Legion fields. The fence would be made of commercial grade aluminum and stand 54 inches in height.

The fencing is needed to protect the splash pad, accompanying picnic area and playground from possible vandalism. The gate would be locked when the splash pad is closed.

“There’s been activity in there after hours and we need to protect our investment,” said Village Mayor Judith Wood-Shaw.

The splash pad was completed and opened to residents over the summer.

Trustees also authorized spending up to $700 at the other end of the village to add new playground equipment for toddlers at Major Dickinson Children’s Park. A Little Tikes commercial grade play set would be purchased from Wal-Mart and set up in a 20-by-20-foot area in the north end of the park.

The park, known years ago as the “sand lot,” received an overhaul in 2015 with the assistance of former Mayor Ernest Martin, obtaining a $50,000 state grant with the help of former Senator Kathleen Marchione. The playground currently has no equipment for children ages 8 months to 3 years old, the Mayor explained.

In other business Aug. 20, Trustees:

• Set a public hearing date of Sept. 17, 7 p.m., at Village Hall to consider changes to the Village’s sewer rents and charges, including debt service and operation and maintenance charges billed to users of the sewer system.
• Announced that the village’s annual Fall Festival and Halloween parade would be held on Saturday, Oct. 26, from noon to 4 p.m. The parade will be held at 3 p.m. and start near Village Hall.