HomeMy WebLinkAboutA001 - Council Action Form dated May 13, 2025ITEM #:46
DATE:05-13-25
DEPT:P&R
SUBJECT:BROOKSIDE PARK PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
BACKGROUND:
Park playground equipment is replaced approximately every twenty years according to a replacement
plan maintained by City staff. Because some equipment gets used more than others, staff annually
reviews all playground equipment to determine the condition of each piece of equipment 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 adjacent Hickory Shelter in
Brookside Park, 1325 6th St., is included in the FY 2025/26 CIP for replacement.
In celebration of the 100th anniversary of Brookside Park, the Ames Noon Kiwanis is partnering
with the City of Ames in contributing $75,000 towards the replacement of the playground at
Brookside Park. Since the playground equipment slated to be replaced is near the iconic fire
truck in the park, it was determined to have the new playground equipment to be a fire
station/engine theme. Please note that Noon Kiwanis recently celebrated its 100th anniversary as
well.
Staff invited qualified playground equipment representatives to submit proposals for the new fire
station/engine themed equipment. The Request for Proposals (RFP) stated that $130,000 was available
for the equipment and installation. Staff received eight proposals from five companies and evaluated
them on the following criteria: 1) safety; 2) play features including balancing, spinning, brachiating,
sliding, climbing and swinging components; 3) site compatibility; 4) accessibility and inclusivity; 5)
support for physical, cognitive, and emotional/social development; 6) cost vs. relative play value; 7)
unique play features; and 8) creating a positive lasting impression so people want to return.
The five vendors that submitted proposals are shown below:
1. Boland Recreation, Marshalltown, Iowa (Attachment A)
2. Cunningham Recreation, Ankeny, Iowa (Attachment B)
3. Play-Pro Recreation, Clive, Iowa
4. BCI Burke Company Inc., Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin
5. Midwest Playscapes, Des Moines, Iowa
Staff evaluated all proposals submitted by the five vendors and selected one option from Boland
Recreation and one from Cunningham Recreation. Staff then reviewed the final two options with
representatives from the Ames Noon Kiwanis as they are contributing $75,000 to the project. The
Ames Noon Kiwanis' preferred choice was the proposal from Boland Recreation.
BUDGET:
The FY 2025/26 CIP has $148,500 designated for the replacement of the playground equipment
adjacent Hickory Shelter at Brookside Park, with $75,000 pledged to the project from the Ames Noon
Kiwanis. In addition to the playground equipment and installation, a concrete border, engineered wood
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fibers, a three-bay swing set with two belts, two tots, and two generation swings will be included as part
of the project. The generation swings (Attachment C) will be the first of this type to be installed within
the park system. The approximate cost of the entire project will be $145,000.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Award a contract to Boland Recreation, Marshalltown, Iowa, to purchase and install playground
equipment in Brookside Park in the amount of $130,000.
2. Award a contract to Cunningham Recreation, Ankeny, Iowa, to purchase and install playground
equipment in Brookside Park in the amount of $129,946.
3. Do not award a contract at this time.
4. Refer this item back to staff for further information.
CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Residents in Ames continually rate the playgrounds in the parks good or very good over 90 percent of
the time as part of the City's annual resident satisfaction survey. In an effort to continually provide
excellent playground amenities that are safe and enjoyable, the equipment needs to be replaced on
a periodic basis.
The Ames Noon Kiwanis has also generously partnered with the City in contributing $75,000 to
go towards the purchase of a custom playground piece that will bring enjoyment for children of
all ages for many years to come. Therefore, it is the recommendation of the City Manager that the
City Council adopt Alternative #1, as noted above.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Attachment A - Boland Recreation Playground Proposal.pdf
Attachment B - Cunningham Recreation Playground Proposal.pdf
Attachment C - Generation Swing.pdf
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