Consider the Issuance of an RFP for Ford Brook Park’s Renovation

The purpose of this case is to consider the development and issuance of a Request for Proposal (RFP) for Ford Brook Park’s Renovation—to include various aspects and improvements, but primarilly the replacement of the many decades old play equipment in the park.

Some of the existing playquipment (small jungle jim, overhead ladder, slide and swing) were slavaged in the 1970's from a previous use and installed at Ford Brook, following the subdivsion's development. Additionally, the playground surface (pea gravel) and border, together with the concrete climber/tube 'snake' were installed by city staff in the late 1980's.  The playground should be considered for replacement, and to bring it into compliance with both the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the Consumer Products Safety Commission CPSC) guideline's for playground safety.  Accordingly, this project has been identified with the Park's Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for several years, and presently shown in 2020.

No notification is required for this project, however it is anticipated that the larger neighborhood (Ramsey and Nowthen) will be invited to participate in identifying priorities for the playground components at an appropriate time.

It should be noted that the Rum River Central Regional Park is about a mile to the east at the intersection of CSAH #27 and CSAH #7 and has many ammenities, including a fairly elaborate modern playstructure. 

One unique feature of this neighborhood park in Ramsey (Ford Brook), is that it's northern border is the City of Nowthen, and includes approximately 19 Nowthen homes within proximity to Ford Brook.  For this reason, Staff has extended an invitation to the Nowthen Lions and the City of Nowthen to consider the renovation of the park as a cross-border community project. 

Attached is a site location map, and also pictures of existing conditons at Ford Brook.

Most recently in 2014-15 when endeavoring to develop a playground area at Elmcrest Park, the city issued an RFP with success to define a project that met various goals and within a defined budget. Attached is the RFP for Elmcrest Park, as an example of an outline of what may be used for an RFP for Ford Brook.

Issuing an RFP at this time does not obligate any funding per se, rather, it may help inform any decision on the return on investment replacing the playground equipment may yield.

There may be multiple funding sources at the time funding is authorized (construction), however the primary funding source is anticipated to be Ramsey's Capital Maintenance Fund, (formerly known as the Park Maintenance Fund).

Staff recommends developing and issuing an RFP for playground and related improvements at Ford Brook, while exploring partnerships for this project in 2019.

Motion to recommend the developmenat and issuance of a RFP for the playground replacement at Ford Brook Park.