Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 03/13/2026

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5. 1. Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Date: 03/12/2026 Primary Strategic Plan Initiative: Address infrastructure needs. Information Title: Playground Replacement Program 2026 — Riverdale Park Purpose/Background: Late in 2021, City Council approved the Playground Replacement Policy which informs the city generally on which playgrounds are to be replaced and when. In 2022, the city removed two small antiquated play structures that did not merit replacement, and refurbished the playgrounds at both Peltzer and Rabbit Park's pursuant to the policy and plan. Between 2023 and 2024 the playground at River's Bend was refurbished and Alpine Park's was replaced and greatly expanded. In 2025, Central Park was also replaced with a significant expansion in scope and play components at a cost of $449,000 In summary, the city remains on track in replacing one playground each year, consistent with the policy. As part of the approval of the 2026-2035 Capital Improvement Plan, the estimated cost of the annual playground replacements rose from $100k to an estimated $125k. This target amount was an estimate for the 2026 playground replacement —and the RFP process was understood to determine if $125k would be adequate for the near -term years of the CIP. As the 2026 CIP project page outlines, each of the playgrounds at Solstice, Flintwood Terrace and Riverdale Parks are considered 'due' for replacement. Staff conducted an analysis and comparisons of all three, and found that Flintwood Terrace and Riverdale Park merit replacement more so than Solstice Park. Based upon a significant number of playground patrons at Riverdale Park over Flintwood Terrace, at the January regular meeting, the Commission directed staff to focus on Riverdale Park this year —with the development of a Request for Proposals, and thus the subject of this March case. Notification: The Public Hearing on the 2026-2035 city-wide Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) conducted in December 2025, included the 2026 playground replacement this case discusses. Time Frame/Observations/Alternatives: The 2026 RFP (first attachment) was issued to fourteen playground vendors and six proposals were received by the due date. As referenced above, issuance of the RFP was to evaluate if $125k would be adequate for a complete playground replacement in 2026. Additionally, park department staff were very interested in seeing if this project could move the city away from Engineered Wood Fiber (EWF or wood chips) for fall zone resilient surfacing, and to Poured -in -Place (PIP) fall zone surfacing. Accordingly, the RFP invited playground vendors to submit two distinct proposals: "Proposal A shall be Engineered Wood Fiber mulch with poured -in -place in select areas at a not -to -exceed amount of $125,000. Proposal B shall be Poured -in -Place throughout the entire play area at a not -to -exceed amount of $230,000." Parks Lead, Andy Blood will be present for the meeting to speak to the maintenance aspects and benefits of PIP versus EWF as needed. A panel of three staff evaluated the proposals for consistency with the RFP and the two Addenda that were issued before the RFP due date. The three judge panel identified each submittal from the playground vendors, finding