Advance the Ford Brook Playground Renovation Project

Detailed planning for this 2020 Capital Improvement Project began in earnest with a Listening Session held at Ford Brook Park in May of 2019. The meeting was attended by a couple dozen people, and in addition to wide-ranging comments, and discussion on the neighbor's vision for the park's renovation, staff collected written cards from residents enumerating their specific desires.

The following are the neighbor's 'list' of amenities and comments taken verbatim from those written statements:

• Need/Replace
  • Baby Swing
  • Tire Swing
  • New Slide
  • Tunnel/Jungle Gym
  • Monkey bars
  • Creative play centers
  • Path from street to park
• Collaboration can be made to make this park ‘new’. There are numerous families that use this park
• Any concrete work, I work for a family owned union company: North County Concrete
• Also using recycled materials
• Willing to help with assembly
• Swings
• Slide
• Rock Climbing

The playground project has been in the city's Capital Improvement Plan for more than a decade, and accordingly, has been a part of many public hearings.  Additionally, the project was the subject of a Listening Session at the park in 2019—with the invitation mailed to approximately 74 homes.

Based upon resident feedback and input from the Commission, staff has prepared the following proposal and first draft budget.

~ Playground equipment (shown in first attachment) consisting of 6 to 12 years of age components, Tot to 6 years play structure, four bay swing and large articulating balance beam—with installation = $21,000
~ Playground boulder perimeter (275' feet) = $10,000
~ Engineered wood fiber fall surfacing = $ 3,500

~ Gable shelter with picnic shelter = $17,000

~ ADA parking adjacent to street, path to playground = $9,000

~ Trees/landscape = $2,000

~ Contingency = $9,000

Draft total $71,000


In addition to the above, staff is researching options for a 'rock climbing' feature—while potentially a significant cost, if incorporated within the playground renovation project, the city would be delivering on each and every element identified as desired by the neighborhood. Note also, an updated sign for Ford Brook Park may also have merit, and may be funded within the contingency proposed.

Also, the removal and restoration of the existing playground equipment, pea gravel and plastic border are not included within the draft budget—but assumed to accommodated by Ramsey forces or as other in kind services. Likewise, disposal costs if any, are not identified.

The primary funding source is the Lawful Gambling Improvement Fund.

Staff is recommending this playground renovation project may be advanced to City Council for approval as outlined above, together with other aspects as may be identified at the meeting. The sample motion below is shown as a blank amount, if the Commission feels that the playground renovation is adequate as shown above, the not-to-exceed amount should be adequate at $71,000. If a rock climbing feature would be added, the not-to-exceed amount should be $91,000.

Note, a moderately sized (playground scale) rock climbing feature would add an element of uniqueness (a thematic feature) to the neighborhood park, which has been a consideration in previous playground projects. (Staff will have an example of the scale referenced available at the meeting.)

Motion to recommend the 2020 Ford Brook Park playground renovation at a not-to-exceed amount of $____________.