04-12-2023 PRMIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Page 3 April 12, 2023 ----------------------------- Michael Hecker presented the staff report. Chad Simich and Bailey Wolf from Flagship Recreation were available to answer questions. They helped with the Splashpad, Orono Park, and Deerfield Park. Mr. Hecker had requested concepts for additional playground designs at a price point more than $200,000. The additional designs were presented in the packet and as a slideshow. Mr. Hecker also showed two videos featuring the net features and We Go Round. Ms. Wolf explained the different playground options to the Commission, noting that all the new playground concepts are slightly larger than the current space. One constant is the We Go Round, an ADA accessible feature like a merry go round that allows kids of all abilities to partake in play. She believes it would be a great asset to Elk River Parks system. Following the slides, Miss Wolf explained the unique features of each playground option. This is a state contract so the prices presented are what they would stay. As a state approved vendor there is an 8% discount and other items are not marked up. Option two includes something called quants which is net related and fits the need for what is popular with net play or ninja play. This would be the first one installed in MN. Another inclusive item is the sensory wall and crawling tunnel. Also, a version of a double teeter totter. Both option one and two are around the same price and size with the option of a zip cruise. Option three is the $400,000 price and includes the net and unique style of tower and a zip cruise. Musical play is also incorporated throughout each design. Mr. Hecker and Mr. Sevcik met together to review maintenance concerns and Mr. Sevcik is fully in support of the playground project. Mr. Sevcik explained that the current playground is 28 years old, making it the oldest playground in the system, normally playgrounds are replaced at 25 years with parts needing replacements at 18-20 years old. Mr. Sevcik also said that the quality of Landscape Structure playgrounds is exceptional, making them quite easy to maintain, and parts are easy to replace compared to other providers. Mr. Sevcik pointed out that in the 2015 master plan Lion John Weicht Park was identified as a signature park and now it is the last park to be updated according to that plan. He believes the playground should be a destination style playground and the designs presented could reach that goal. The $400,000 design would provide a playground with the most amenities in the city other than the Orono Park playground. With more families using the playground from all over and keeping the area flooded with kids’ vandalism will go down Commissioner Loidolt asked if the city staff would be doing the removal of the existing playground and woodchips. Mr. Sevcik said no because in the past they worked with a group that would take the old equipment and reuse it. He believes that the park equipment is past the point of being recycled. Ideally Mr. Sevcik sees this as a turnkey product other than city staff helped with dirt moving and removal. Commissioner Brown asked how many kids can be served by the playground at one time. Mrs. Wolf said the company measures that by the formula of about 25 kids per 10 square feet of playable surface but with the different components it can change, for example with vertical climbing features. Mr. Simich also explained that option one and two will provide play for more than 50 kids and with option three being double the size it would serve 100-150 kids. Commissioner Brown asked if the playground could have pieces added on overtime versus doing it all at once. Mr. Simich said that can be done but it would be best to plan for what would be added so the container would be large enough for the growth. Commissioner Niziolek asked the Flagship staff to look at the elementary school playgrounds in Elk River for comparison. He expressed that he did not want to double up on features, therefore providing a wide variety of play for Elk River citizens.