HomeMy WebLinkAbout6.c. Jaycee Park Playground Equipment Replacement4ROSEMOUNTEXECUTIVE SUMMARY
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting: June 24, 2013
AGENDA ITEM: Jaycee Park Playground Equipment
AGENDA SECTION:
Replacement
Old Business
PREPARED BY: Dan Schultz, Parks and Recreation
AGENDA NO.
Director
6 c.
ATTACHMENTS: None
APPROVED BY:
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Motion to approve the attached request for proposal for the
replacement of the Jaycee Park Play Equipment.
ISSUE
Staff held a neighborhood meeting to the share information about the proposed project on Monday, June
17, 2013 at the Jaycee Park Shelter. Six people living in the area around the park attended. Approximately
680 post cards mailed to residents who lived near the park notifying them about the opportunity to hear
more about the project and to provide input.
Below is a summary of the comments that were provided at the open house:
All of the neighbors in attendance said they had lived around the park for a long time and that using the
park has been a big part of their families' lives. All were very complimentary concerning the layout and
upkeep of the park. We heard comments that the new playground should include sensory play things that
would provide opportunities for special needs children that may not be able to use many of the existing
play features. It was pointed out that many overhead playground components such as zip lines, monorails,
spinners, and horizontal ladders require an adult to lift a child to the component and to catch the child
should they fall. It was suggested that we limit or eliminate these kinds of overhead features and focus on
those children can access and use by themselves such as climbers, rockers and spinners. Rock and rope
climbers seemed to be popular with those in attendance, as were spring rockers, surfers, and lily pad or
spring pod type features. Everyone seemed to want more swings including additional bucket swings for
toddlers and tire swings for bigger kids.
There was concern about the temperature that the playground equipment, especially the slides, can reach
on a hot sunny day. One suggestion was to rely only on tube slides since the tube itself shades the actual
sliding surface, but another neighbor said even the tube slides get too hot and should be avoided. The
color of the playground and the surfacing (what is under the equipment) used should be selected with
temperature in mind. There was discussion about surfacing and everyone agreed that woodchips were
favored over the existing pea rock but several people suggested that at least one level of the playground, if
not all of it, should include rubber surfacing. The neighbors suggested that if possible, the playground
should be constructed on one plane, and if not, one of the terraces should be eliminated so that it is built
on two levels.
There was interest in giving this playground or another playground in the community a natural theme and
including some natural play features such as logs and boulders. One comment was that we should do
something that is different from what most city parks offer. Several of the neighbors also requested that a
basketball court be added to the park.
BACKGROUND
The Public Works Department budget includes funding ($75,000) for the replacement of the playground
equipment at Jaycee Park. There is also $10,000 budgeted for a new border. The playground was installed
at Jaycee Parkin 1992.
SUMMARY
Staff would like to discuss with the Commission the comments from the open house and discuss what
items should be included in the request for proposal (RFP). Staff hopes to replace the play equipment this
fall.