Playground Replacement Plan - Alpine and River's Bend Parks

Late in 2021, City Council approved the Playground Replacement Policy which informs the city on which playgrounds are to be replaced and when. In 2022, the city removed two small antiquated play structures that did not merit replacement, and refurbished the playgrounds at both Peltzer and Rabbit Parks pursuant to the policy and plan. The next candidate for replacement was Alpine Park and one of the subjects of this case.

In May 2023, the Commission met at Alpine Park to assess the project, and it was discussed that the playground at River's Bend was experiencing the need for frequent deck board repair—and perhaps River's Bend should be replaced before Alpine Park's playground.  The consensus of the Commission was that staff should evaluate both and develop a plan and priority for the refurbishment or replacement of the two playgrounds and which should occur first and in which year.

Notifications are not required for this proposed project, and as both Alpine and River's Bend Park's are community parks (versus a neighborhood park), a mailer seeking comment on the playground's proposed replacement is probably not needed, as the majority of people using either of the two playgrounds are not likely to be from the immediate adjoining areas.  

In examining River's Bend Parks playground, it was determined that the playground had significant play value (number and diversity of play components) and was mostly in good shape except for the 14 wooden decks. The playground is shaded by the trees to the immediate south, and therefore there is lichen on some of the north-facing components, and the shade has contributed to the premature decay of many individual deck boards.  Staff's overall assessment was that the playground was an appropriate candidate for refurbishment, rather than replacement. To determine this feasibility, staff issued the attached Request for Proposal (RFP) that addresses the play equipment's deficiencies.  

The RFP (second attachment) was sent to 13 contractors specializing in this type of work, and three proposals were received back in the amounts of; $25,776, 23,000, and $13,169. The lowest proposal was submitted by Contracting Solutions Inc., a competent contractor and regular installer for the city's playground projects.

The above solution for addressing River's Bend Park's playground may allow the city to address two playgrounds in 2024 for the estimated amount of $100,000 per year identified in the Playground Replacement Plan and Policy.  (A playground was not refurbished or replaced in 2023.)  The following is an estimate of how this may come to bear:

♦ Refurbish River's Bend Park's playground       $13,169
♦ New Engineered Wood Fiber (surfacing)      +/- $6,000

♦ New playground for Alpine Park                      $170,000
♦ Landscape improvements playground                $5,000
                                                           Total        $194,169     

For the meeting, staff will highlight the two proposed projects and will have the actual costs for the Engineered Wood Fiber needed for River's Bend Park.  The RFP for the Alpine Park project is due back to the city on January 8th 2024.  At January's regular Park & Recreation Commission meeting, the Commission will be in position to make a recommendation to City Council on the playground replacement plan for 2024.

Pursuant to the Playground Replacement Policy, funding for the playground areas refurbishments and replacements would be from the Lawful Gambling Fund.

Staff recommends a discussion on the options for playground replacements this case discusses.

Consensus direction to proceed on collecting proposals for a recommendation in January on the 2024 playground replacement plan.