Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 07/08/2021

Home

Figures 1-2: Nature -based play features at Pearson Park: (left to right) figure -eight of logs; sand and artificial turf surfacing, scattered "tree cookies" SECTION 6. PLAYGROUND SURFACING. The city of Ramsey primarily uses two different types of surfaces for its playgrounds —engineered wood fiber (known colloquially as wood chips) and pea gravel (reused seal coating rock). Both surfaces are considered safe as long as kept at a depth of at least twelve inches, though pea gravel may have concerns due to its shape, making it desirable for children to put in their mouth or take home with them. Additionally, the surfaces —as well as rubber mulch —are desirable due to low upfront installation costs (with pea gravel being the cheapest), but require regular maintenance (raking and levelling to maintain a proper depth for cushioning falls but still remaining accessible) and need to be replaced roughly every five years. Funding for surface replacement could be from the Lawful Gambling Fund, instead of the General Fund as has been the case. Figures 3-4: (left to right) engineered wood fiber (EWP); pea gravel SECTION 7. FUNDING SOURCES. The potential funding sources for playground replacements are many; including the Park Trust Fund, General Fund, the Capital Maintenance Fund, or even bonding however, the most logical funding source may be the Lawful Gambling Fund, which is proceeds the city receives from a tax on charitable gambling (pull tabs) in Ramsey. Pursuant to MN State Statute Chapter 349, the Lawful Gambling Fund monies may only be used for expenditures that primarily benefit youth in the community. The present fund balance is approximately $325,000. 5