Playground Replacement Policy - Formulate Plan for Rabbit Park

The purpose of this case, is to develop a plan for the renovation of Rabbit Park, following the request for input from the 91 neighbors of the park.  (The letter inviting feedback is the first attachment.)   

 

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Observations:
The following is an extract from January's case on implementing the Playground Replacement Policy and plan.
"As Rabbit Park's playground ranked the highest for replacement, staff proposes that the city develop a plan to either replace the play structure in 2022, or remove them and add some sort of landscape improvements or other amenity in their place (consistent with the policy). This planning would begin by inviting the neighbors to the park (within the 1,500' walking distance) to express their interests .  If for instance, there is little or no support for the playground's replacement, the Commission can focus on another playground this year that is also due for replacement." 

Alternatives:
The alternatives or ways forward here with respect to Rabbit Park are many and varied. In one view, with only 5 households out of 91 (five percent at the time of this writing) expressing some interest in seeing the play equipment replaced at the park (or at least adding back swings), This represents an apparent, relatively low support for any significant investment in playground replacements for the park.  The second attachment to this case is the written correspondence from the 8 households responding, with the following a summary of their sentiments:

• Nice to have a dog park, would like benches considered [for the Lake Itasca Trail]. Nice to be asked to comment [on the park and trail system]
• Thank you for asking for ideas, would love a trail/wildflowers, add swings
• Thank you for the opportunity for input. Would like to see minimal reinvestment in the park or play equipment as possible
• Would love to see a handicapped swing for the park
• Love the large slide at the park, and hope it remains. Would like to see the swing replaced, and supports native habitat landscape improvements. Thank you for opportunity for input.
• Supports maintaining safe play equipment, and appreciates the city communicating on the status of the park
• Park is an eyesore, and never sees people use it—lists various potential capital improvements including trees and benches
• Has young children, loves the large slide—supports a variety of potential play equipment, including climbing opportunities—notes the ballfield is unused

The following are some alternatives in responding to resident input, and a playground replacement plan (no priority to the order):
~ Do nothing (not recommended - the play equipment there, aside from the large slide should be removed).
~ Remove the play equipment and seed the removal area with grass seed, (but leave the slide).
~ Remove the play equipment  (leaving the large slide), and replace with a significant array of new play equipment (including swings).
~ Remove the play equipment (leaving the large slide), and add back a large four-place swing with a handicap swing seat.

In any of the above scenarios, staff recommends converting the preponderance of the park to a prairie wildflower ground cover, as the sandy site supports poor turf grass, and mowing the park regularly serves little or no use. 

The funding source identified within the Capital Improvement Plan is the Lawful Gambling Fund.

Staff may recommend the last alternative above (pending further public comment); 'Remove the play equipment (leaving the large slide), and add back a large four-place swing with a handicap swing seat'—and to proceed by returning to the Commission in March with a detailed budget for Rabbit Park's renovation, including the conversion to a native landscape.  These costs should be less than half of what is estimated within the Capital Improvement Plan for 2022, which may allow the Commission to 'move-up' another neighborhood park renovation into this year's work plan.

By motion or consensus, direct staff to develop a plan and budget to address the playground area and associated grounds at Rabbit Park for consideration at the March 2022 regular meeting.