WORKSHOP ITEM - Nate Monahan, Recreation Manager
Title
PARK AND TRAIL AMENDED BUDGET AND PLAYGROUND REPLACEMENT PROGRAM DISCUSSION
Background
On the City Council agenda later this evening are four items requesting Council’s approval: one to amend the Parks & Trails CIP and three to approve playground replacement projects. Staff is bringing this forward for discussion to provide additional information prior to the items being considered at the City Council Meeting tonight.
A panel of City Staff including the City Manager, Finance Director, Public Works Director and Parks and Recreation staff have reviewed the Five-Year Park and Trail (CIP) for the City’s Parks and Trails Fund and is recommending a few amendments to the 2020 component of the CIP. The Park Board has reviewed the amendments and is recommending approval of the attached budget to the City Council for formal adoption.
The Parks and Trails Capital Improvement Fund is used for ongoing improvements and replacement of existing capital assets related to the City’s parks and trails. The primary funding source for this fund is a general tax levy ($350,000 for 2020). Additional revenue comes from billboard property leases ($150,000) which the City Council approved as a funding source in December 2019.
A summary of the recommended amendments are as follows:
Happy Acres Park Pedestrian Bridge: (Decreased from $120,000 to $50,000):
The 2020 CIP budgeted $120,000 for complete replacement of the bridge. When City Staff and WSB, the City’s consulting engineering firm on the project, looked further into the project, the estimated cost came in at $204,000. City engineering staff determined that complete replacement of the bridge would not be necessary. Rather, installing retaining walls and drainage improvements around the bridge would alleviate the current erosion issues. Public Works staff would repair the existing bridge by replacing the wooden boards and other minor improvements as needed. Staff would look to hire a contractor to install the retaining wall and other drainage improvements. Total estimated cost for this alternative is $50,000.
Lakeside Commons Park Splash Pad: (Addition $45,000):
The splash pad’s water features at Lakeside Commons Park are made of plastic, are in dire need of replacement, and are beyond repair. The splash pad at Lakeside Commons Park was going to be improved last year and funded out of the Public Works General Fund maintenance budget. Staff reviewed and determined that the Parks & Trail Fund was a better funding source. The company that made plumbing improvements to the splash pad in 2017 does not support the current system and is unable to make additional improvements to the exterior of the system. A new company, Aquatix by Landscape Structures, is willing to make the improvements to the existing splash pad. The improvements include new stainless steel water features that will reduce water leakage and overall maintenance of the splash pad. Staff has reached out to other companies about making the improvements, but other companies are not willing to work on the splash pad because it is not their system or product. Attachments of the new and current water features are included in the packet.
Aquatore Park Zip line: (Addition $13,400):
This spring the Aquatore Park zip line cable snapped and broke. City Staff has had many issues with this zip line over the last five years and believe that it is no longer a safe piece of equipment. Staff reached out Minnesota/Wisconsin Playground, the original installer of the zip-line, and they are willing to provide a credit of $9,089.60, which is the amount the city paid for the zip line in 2015. The company now has an improved design called a zip track, and with the credit ($9,089.60) the net cost of installation and equipment would be $13,400.
Playground Replacement Program
Annually the City inspects all 52 playgrounds within the park system to ensure compliance with user safety and maintenance standards. The standard replacement schedule for playground equipment is 20 years, but this can vary based on the actual usage and condition of the playground.
During the playground replacement process a request for proposal is created by staff, which is then sent out to playground vendors who are required to provide a proposal that follows the parameters and criteria while still allowing for creativity and innovative design.
The RFP includes the following:
Budget
Playground equipment
Number of swings & benches
Playground container: concrete curbing or plastic play curb
Wood fibar with liner
Installation
Site clean up
Attached is the RFP from President Park playground, which is one of three playground replacements within the above Park and Trail Budget along with Blaine Baseball Complex and Van Buren Park.
Recommendation
Staff is bringing this forward for discussion prior to the items at the City Council Meeting tonight.