The current Pioneer Park playground equipment has reached the end of its life expectancy.  Many play components have been removed due to safety concerns because they are worn out and cannot be replaced because the manufacturer no longer  produces them.  Council approved $300,214.00 to fund the Pioneer Park Playground Replacement project as part of the ongoing Park District One improvements.  Staff sent out two (2) Requests for Proposals (RFP) to replace the existing playground equipment and provide a signature play feature.  The RFPs were due January 16th.  Eight (8) firms responded, providing fourteen (14) options for the playground replacement and thirteen (13) options for the signature play feature equipment.  A Selection Committee was formed, consisting of  two representative from the North Elevation Neighborhood Task Force, one Park Board Representative and four Staff.  On February 2nd, after over two hours of discussion, the Committee voted to recommend that Play Space Design from Salt Lake City, Utah, representing Kompan Playgrounds, be the provider for the playground replacement equipment at a total cost of $180,580.  The Committee recommends Dakota Fence from Williston, North Dakota, representing Landscape Structures, be the provider of the signature play feature at a total cost of $98,000.00.  Both Play Space Design and Dakota Fence will enter into contracts with the City to provide and install the equipment and fall protection for this project.  The total cost of these two contracts is $278,580.00. 
In preparation for the new play equipment and in an effort to preserve the maximum amount of available funds for purchase, staff is removing the existing play equipment and preparing the site for the new equipment installation, for a cost savings of approximately $30,000 to the project.         

City Council may:

• Approve contracts with Play Space Design and Dakota Fence, or;
• Disapprove the two contracts and provide additional direction to staff. 

Funding for this project comes from an appropriation of $300,214 from the Park District One funds.  There is no additional impact to the City.

Staff recommends that Council approve contracts with Play Space Design from Salt Lake City Utah for $180,580.00 and Dakota Fence from Williston, North Dakota for $98,000.00 to provide all playground equipment, installation and fall protection at the Pioneer Park playground site.