HomeMy WebLinkAboutA001 - Council Action Form dated March 11, 2025ITEM #:21
DATE:03-11-25
DEPT:P&R
SUBJECT:PATIO HOMES WEST PARK PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
BACKGROUND:
Park playground equipment is replaced approximately every 20 years according to a replacement plan
maintained by Parks and Recreation staff. Due to the fact that some equipment gets used more than
others, staff annually reviews each piece of playground equipment to determine its condition and
whether it should be replaced. After each review, staff recommends which structures should be
included in the five-year Capital Improvements Plan (CIP).
The playground equipment at Patio Homes West Park, 1515 Idaho Ave., was included in the FY
2024/25 CIP for replacement. Staff sent a Request for Proposals (RFP) to qualified playground
equipment representatives, inviting them to submit proposals to replace the playground equipment in
Patio Homes West Park. The RFP stated that $65,000 was available for playground equipment and
installation.
Playground equipment vendors were allowed to submit a maximum of two proposals and a total of
seven proposals were submitted. Staff evaluated each proposal based on the following criteria: safety;
play features including balancing, spinning, sliding, climbing and swinging components; site
compatibility; accessibility and inclusivity; supports physical, cognitive, and emotional/social
development; cost vs. relative play value; unique play features; and aesthetics compared to existing
structures within the park, as well the overall park system. The vendors and the cost of the proposals
are listed in the table below.
Vendor Proposal 1 Proposal 2
BCI Burke Company, Fond du
Lac, Wisconsin $67,000 $70,666
Boland Recreation,
Marshalltown, Iowa $65,000 $67,000
Cunningham Recreation,
Charlotte, North Carolina $64,122 N/A
Play-Pro Recreation, Clive, Iowa $65,000 $65,000
FUNDING:
There is $74,500 budgeted for the new playground equipment at Patio Homes West Park as part of the
FY 2024/25 CIP. Purchasing equipment for $67,000 will leave $7,500 to finish the project which
includes a concrete border and Engineered Wood Fibers (EWF).
1
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Award a contract to Boland Recreation, Inc., Marshalltown, Iowa to purchase playground
equipment (Proposal 2) for Patio Homes West Park in the amount of $67,000.
2. Award a contract to one of the other companies for a proposal submitted.
3. Do not award a contract at this time and refer back to staff.
CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Residents of Ames continually rate the playgrounds in the parks good or very good over 90
percent of time as part of the resident satisfaction survey. Staff annually reviews each
playground to ensure they are safe and meet playground safety standards. The playground at
Patio Homes West Park has been in place for over 20 years. It is starting to show its age, and it is
time for it to be replaced with a new and exciting structure. Boland Recreation, Inc., has
provided many playground structures over the years to the parks in Ames. They provide quality
structures that are longstanding and provide play amenities that park patrons look forward to
using. Therefore, it is the recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council adopt Alternative
#1, as noted above.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Attachment A - Patio Homes West Park Proposal 2 - Pic 1.jpg
Attachment B - Patio Homes West Park Proposal 2 - Pic 2.jpg
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