In the fall of 2020, the City's Parks, Recreation, and Human Services Commission adopted their Goal Setting Executive Summary highlighting several improvements needed at Arovista Park. The City Council directed staff to explore the modernization of Arovista Park at their May 4, 2021 meeting, emphasizing an all-accessible playground and other park improvements. These included upgrades to existing fields and courts; the addition of multi-generational recreational opportunities; and the desire for an all-accessible play area.
Extensive community outreach and engagement followed through the remainder of 2021, resulting in an initial concept plan for the park. At their Special Meeting on March 8, 2022, the City's Parks, Recreation, and Human Services Commission established a base project with other priorities for the Arovista Park Modernization Project. The base project included the following:
- An all-inclusive playground
- Skate park sound wall
- Parking lots
- Restrooms
- Golf safety netting
- Tracks trailhead lighting and design
Other priorities included baseball fields; a theater; Jubilee Grove; an active adult area; and pickleball, basketball, and volleyball courts. There was a consensus to include relocating the sound wall in the base project, and staff also recommended safety netting at the golf course, which is currently underway.
In June 2022, the City Council awarded a design services agreement to David Volz Design for plans, specifications, and estimates (PS&E) for Arovista Park Modernization, CIP 7978.
On February 7, 2023, the City Council authorized the purchase of a prefabricated restroom/concession building, restroom/storage, and two trash enclosures. The concept plan for the all-accessible playground was also shared and approved by the City Council at the February 7 meeting. Since then, staff has received project cost estimates that were higher than anticipated and have been working on mitigating some of those costs without compromising the original priorities of the City Council, the Parks, Recreation and Human Services Commission, and the community.
Based on the extensive outreach and input received, staff and the architect have selected playground shade structures from one manufacturer and play equipment from seven manufacturers that offer various sensory opportunities throughout the accessible playground. As the plans have developed from concept to construction documents, it has become clear that purchasing a prefabricated storage building is much more affordable than designing and constructing an independent storage building. The storage building architecture will match the previously ordered restroom and trash structures. Due to lead times for the building and play equipment, staff recommends orders be placed now with the different manufacturers to avoid cost increases of up to 30-50%, which could occur in a General Contractor's bid. The proposed play equipment and storage items are in the detailed table below:
Manufacturer/Vendor |
Cost |
Lead Time |
Landscape Structures Flower Petal Shade Structures (7) |
$232,558.00 |
3–12 Months |
Landscape Structures - Freestanding Play Equipment |
$253,760.00 |
3–12 Months |
Goric |
$129,637.00 |
3–12 Months |
David Bang (Berliner, Playworld, Gametime) |
$253,695.00 |
6–12 Months |
QCP |
$26,252.00 |
3–12 Months |
Pacific Play |
$645,395.00 |
6–12 Months |
Barbara Butler Play Theater |
$78,097.00 |
3–12 Months |
Jen Lewin |
$112,500.00 |
3–12 Months |
Public Restroom Company Prefabricated Storage Building |
$159,922.00 |
9 Months |
Total (includes tax and freight): |
$1,891,816.00 |
|
Differences in this report from the original March 7, 2023 City Council staff report include:
- The total cost here is $95,551.00 less than the original request of $1,987,367.00.
- Seven flower petal shade structures were added to the purchase request to eliminate timing issues for any site furnishings associated with the playground.
- A prefabricated storage building was added to the purchase request that will result in a savings to the project for not having to construct a custom building.
- The City Manager’s authority for a change order is raised from 5 to 10% for additional flexibility fine-tuning the playground pieces, if required.
- Requesting authorization for the City Manager to execute a vendor or manufacturer change for an approved equal to allow further cost savings without sacrificing quality.
Once the purchase orders are issued, the general contractor will be required to coordinate the delivery of the equipment. The table above does not include installation costs reflected in specific attached quotes that the general contractor will address in their bids. The specifications will require a certified playground installer and certified playground inspector to handle and observe the equipment installation. |