In the fall of 2020, the 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-accessible 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, 2023, 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.
At their April 18, 2023, meeting, the City Council authorized the purchase of various playground equipment from various manufacturers totaling $903,821.00, and the purchase of a prefabricated storage building from Public Restroom Company totaling $159,922.00. Cost Estimates from Landscape Structures were outstanding at the that time, but have since been provided and are now available for City Council consideration. Due to lead times for the playground equipment and shade structures, staff has recommended orders to 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 playground equipment and shade structures are detailed in the table below, in addition to the equipment and restrooms that were previously authorized:
| Manufacturer/Vendor |
Cost |
| Landscape Structures - Playground Equipment |
$189,582.00 |
| Landscape Structures - Shade Structures |
$446,937.00 |
| Sub-Total |
$636,519.00 |
| Previously Authorized Play Equipment and Pre-Fabricated Storage Building (April 18, 2023, City Council Meeting) |
$1,063,473.00 |
| Total |
$1,699,992.00 |
Once the purchase orders are issued, the general contractor will be required to coordinate the delivery of the equipment. The table 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. |