Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 05/11/2023

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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 an attractive nuisance for young children to put in their mouth. Additionally, the surfaces —as well as rubber mulch —are desirable due to generally 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 the reoccurring 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 (EWF); pea gravel SECTION 7. FUNDING SOURCES. The potential funding sources for playgrounds and their replacement 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 LawfulGambling 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 2021 present fund balance is approximately $325,000. SECTION 8. DEFINITIONS • Americans With Disabilities Act or "ADA" refers to the civil rights legislation passed in 1990 that prohibits discrimination against individuals based on disability. Its provisions were updated in 2008 to include a larger number of people under the umbrella of `disabled.' Pursuant to that law, the Department of Justice developed Standards for Accessible Design in 2010. Any playgrounds constructed or modified after March 15, 2012 are subject to the new standards. Examples of these standards include: a) Running slopes may have grades no steeper than 5% with cross slopes no steeper than 2%; slopes with grades larger than 5% must have handrails and landings b) An accessible route 60 inches wide with 80 inches of overhead clearance must be available c) Transfer platforms must be between 11 and 18 inches high with width and depth at least 24 inches and 14 inches, respectively; transfer steps may be no higher than 8 inches and should include handholds; a 30-inch by 48-inch space must be available adjacent to the transfer platform d) Elevated ramps connecting play structures must be no steeper than 8.25%, no longer than 12 feet, and at least 36 inches wide; they must contain handrails with spots for gripping between 20 and 28 inches off the ground; a 60-inch by 60-inch 7