Recommend Play Structure for North Commons

The discussion at the June 14, 2012 joint meeting hosted by Park and Recreation Commission with City Council was the Parks Capital Improvement Plan, and also recommending Park Dedication for the COR Three plat which includes the park space known as North Commons.  Subsequent to that discussion, a City Council work session was held on July 31st, 2012 on the topic of advancing the 2012 capital improvements, most notably the proposed building and playground for Elmcrest Park - and also a playground for North Commons.  The consensus direction from City Council was "acknowledgment that the Park and Recreation Commission will be investigating play equipment purchases for North Commons and Elmcrest Park - for subsequent City Council approval".

The COR Three Plat has since been approved (including the 17 single family home-sites west and southwest of the park), and when all of those lots are eventually sold, $42,075 will be generated for park development purposes, (and $10,200 in Trail Fees).  Somewhat conincidently, this dollar amount is generally what had been projected as needed for the proposed play structure for the park.  Synergistically, having the play equipment in the park will aid in lot sales, hastening the return on the cost of lot creation, improve property values near North Commons, and also generating tax revenue (from the new homes) for maintaining the park space (as well as other city infrastructure).

Notification is not required for park improvements, however a sign was placed in the park illustrating the proposed park and plat (#exhibit 1).  A letter requesting input on the proposed playground was also issued in October 2012 (attachment #2).  Additionally, several public meetings have occurred regarding the park and COR Three plat.

Following Council consensus to begin planning for the play equipment for North Commons, the Commission discussed play equipment components and features, and an invitation for input from area residents was issued by mail.  The attached letter (exhibit #2) generated enthusiastic feedback from several families near the park and many suggestions for what the playground should include.

Thereafter, the State Contract for play apparatuses was consulted and St. Croix Recreation (a reputable contractor on previous city park projects), was asked to submit a proposal that came as close as possible to meeting the Commission's direction from August and specifically, including the components requested by the resident's submissions - while meeting the project budget.  All of the resident requests are included in the attached rendering (item #3 below).  Additionally, the structure from the State Contract saves $2,396 from the catalog pricing and meets the estimated project cost of approximately $40,000 including installation (separately by an installer at $5,950.00), shipping, tax and resilient surfacing at $39,968.

What is not included in the above dollar amount is the border for the playground and a hard surface path to the area so as to be handicap accessible.  Earlier this fall, a local business donated a number of boulders for the playground border (attachment #4) - so a part of this cost has already been accommodated.  (For the meeting, Staff will attempt to have cost identified for the 8'foot bituminous trail connection to the play-equipment from the street - estimated to be between $4,000 and $5,000, including a curb cut and concrete ADA ramp.)

The proposed Parks Capital Improvement plan for 2013 includes the North Commons play structure project at an estimated cost of $40,000 funded from the Lawful Gambling Fund #270.  Also, within the 2012 CIP, $15,000 from the Lawful Gambling Fund was programed for trees in the park, however those monies were not needed, as the city obtained a DNR grant for tree planting in 2012-13. 

The present balance of fund #270 is well in excess of $100,000 with the funds  specifically restricted to purposes that benefit youth in Ramsey.

The funding source for this proposed play equipment project would the Lawful Gambling Fund in the amount of $48,000.

Staff recommends forwarding the play structure for approval to City Council with the following budget recommendation:

• Play equipment from St. Croix Recreation @ $34,018.31
• Installation @ $5,950
• Boulders (to supplement the donation) estimated @ $1,000
• Bituminous trail connection estimated @ <$5,000
• Contingency (less than 5% of project value) @ $2,031.69

Total North Commons playground project budget: Not-to-exceed $48,000

Note:  The timing for City Council consideration on this proposed capital improvement project would be after the larger 2013 Parks Capital Improvements were before Council for discussion - likely late January or February.

Motion to recommend to City Council that a not-to-exceed amount of $48,000 be allocated for the North Commons playground project for 2013 implementation from the Lawful Gambling Fund.