Adopt Resolution #20-034 Approving the 2020 Ford Brook Playground Capital Improvement 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 and request for comments mailed to approximately 74 homes.

Based upon resident feedback and consideration of the Park and Recreation Commission, the following project elements and corresponding budget was recommended for approval at the Commission's February 2020 regular meeting.

~ 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) with bench(es) = 16,000

~ Engineered wood fiber fall surfacing = $ 3,500

~ Gable shelter with picnic shelter = $17,000

~ ADA parking adjacent to street, path to playground = $11,000

~ Trees/landscape/sign = $2,000

~ Contingency = $4,500

Total $75,000



Note: the removal and restoration of the existing playground equipment, pea gravel and plastic border are not included within the budget shown—but assumed to accommodated by Ramsey forces or as other in kind services. Likewise, disposal costs if any, are not specifically identified, with any removal and disposal 'hard costs' either absorbed by the Park Department annual General Fund operations allocation or the above referenced contingency or both.

 

The primary funding source is the Lawful Gambling Improvement Fund.

The Park and Recreation Commission and Staff are recommending this playground renovation project be approved as outlined within this case.

 

Motion to Adopt Resolution #20-034 Authorizing the 2020 Ford Brook Park playground renovation at a not-to-exceed amount of $75,000.