HomeMy WebLinkAbout031622 - 4.3
PARKS, RECREATION AND ARTS COMMISSION
STAFF REPORT
4.3
TO: Parks, Recreation and Arts Commission March 16, 2022
SUBJECT: Review Concepts for the Oak Hill Park Playground Project and Provide
Staff with a Recommendation for Action
BACKGROUND
On January 12, 2022, the Parks, Recreation and Arts Commission began the discussion of
renovating the play area at Oak Hill Park. At that time, two preliminary concepts –
Nature and Contemporary – were shared to give an idea of potential play equipment
options. In general, the Commission felt that there were several unique pieces of play
equipment that would fit well within the park and complement the overall inventory of
playground designs throughout the Town. However, there was also an interest in
evaluating other items that could potentially be included in the project scope beyond just
the play equipment replacement, as well as if changes to the play area footprint may
allow for additional opportunities within the space.
DISCUSSION
Since the January meeting, staff has researched potential layout modifications, additions
to the project scope and other playground equipment options and now returns to the
Commission to have the “bigger picture” discussion beyond just the equipment
replacement.
Layout Modifications
While topography and existing park features pose challenges to expand the play area,
removing the concrete water feature and removing or relocating the sand play area
would provide a larger space that could optimize the flow and spacing from small play
area equipment to large. Attachments B and C were prepared to show the Commission
potential configurations if the water feature and sand area were removed and can be
compared to Attachments D and E – the Nature and Contemporary concepts reviewed
during the January meeting – to evaluate the difference. The intent of the design concepts
is to allow the Commission to consider the benefits of utilizing the existing footprint
versus reconfiguring it.
Project Scope
Based on feedback from the Commission during their January meeting, potential
additions to the project scope are listed below and in Attachment A, along with estimated
costs.
Potential Scope Additions
• Refinish existing wooden stairs and deck - $5,000
• Remove water play trough - $25,000
• Remove or relocate sand play area - $10,000
• Replace wear course under windmill - $25,000
• Poured in place safety surfacing - $200,000
• Shade – $25,000 - $100,000 (varies based on quantity and size of shade structures)
• Benches (six) - $15,000
The potential scope additions are intended to provide many different options to assist the
Commission in designing the project to meet their objectives. In addition to the scope
options listed above, during the January meeting the replacement of the exercise
equipment along the open space trail in the rear of the park was discussed; staff is
gathering information for this project and will return to the Commission for discussion
and direction at a future meeting.
Playground Equipment Options
Collectively, Attachments B-E provide the Commission with a wide variety of play
equipment options to consider, or to use as a reference to guide staff towards other
options that they may want to evaluate. The new renderings – particularly Option A, as
Option B is primarily intended to demonstrate what a change to the layout could look
like with the Contemporary concept – include several new playground equipment pieces
in addition to those reviewed during the January meeting, providing the Commission
with more options to evaluate and give staff direction on. As with the playground
equipment options the Commission reviewed in January, the equipment shown in
Options A and B placed an emphasis on elements that would be unique to Oak Hill Park,
offer inclusive and accessible options, and include interactive features.
Summary
The various options for the playground configuration, project scope and equipment are
intended to allow the Commission to design the project from the top down and factor in
all aspects that they would like to have included. These are not meant to represent the
limits of what can be considered; rather, they were formed using the professional
opinions of what some of the best available opportunities may be from the Town’s
Landscape Architect and a leading playground equipment vendor, with the intent of
offering the Commission enough information to shape their objective for the project and
provide staff with further direction.
FISCAL IMPACT
Cost estimates for the attached base concepts range from approximately $550,000-
$600,000. Project cost will be determined based on final project scope and design. Funding
has been appropriated in the Capital Improvement Program for the project, though a
request for additional appropriations may be necessary depending on the project scope.
RECOMMENDATION
Review Concepts for the Oak Hill Park Playground Project and Provide Staff with a
Recommendation for Action.
Prepared by:
Dave Casteel
Maintenance Services Director
Attachments: A – Project Scope
B – Option A
C – Option B
D – Nature Concept
E – Contemporary Concept