HomeMy WebLinkAboutA001 - Council Action Form dated October 13, 2026ITEM #:28
DATE:10-13-26
DEPT:P&R
SUBJECT:PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT FOR O'NEIL PARK
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
BACKGROUND:
Park playground equipment is replaced approximately every 20 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 Improvement Plan (CIP).
The playground equipment in O'Neil Park, 300 S. Maple, was included in the FY 2026/27 CIP
for replacement. There are two playground structures in O'Neil Park that will be replaced: one
for ages two to five, and one for ages five to twelve.
Staff sent a Request for Proposals (RFP) to qualified playground equipment representatives,
inviting them to submit proposals to replace the playground equipment in O'Neil Park. The
RFP stated that $145,000 was available for playground equipment and installation.
Staff received 14 proposals from nine separate vendors and evaluated them 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 as the overall park
system.
Proposals were submitted by:
1. Boland Recreation, Marshalltown, Iowa
2. Play-Pro Recreation, Clive, Iowa
3. BCI Burke Company, Inc., North Fond du Lac, Wisconsin,
4. Crouch Recreation, Elkhorn, Nebraska
5. American Playground and Recreation, Tea, South Dakota
6. Cunningham Recreation, Charlotte, North Carolina
7. Midwest Playscapes, Inc., Des Moines, Iowa
8. Park Planet, Solon, Iowa
9. Playground Boss, Allen, Texas
PUBLIC OUTREACH:
Staff evaluated the 14 proposals received and selected five options that were presented to
members of the Oak to Riverside Neighborhood in early September. The neighborhood
narrowed down the five playground options to three, which are attached. A survey available to
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all Ames residents was then included in the weekly Parks and Recreation e-newsletter that is
distributed to over 12,000 e mail addresses. The survey link was also posted on social media.
In total, 169 survey results were received. These results indicate that respondents favored the
options in the following order:
Option 3 (80) Crouch Recreation
Option 1 (49) Boland Recreation
Option 2 (40) Cunningham Recreation
The survey also asked residents if they lived within walking distance of the park. Of the
respondents, 58 individuals (34%) lived within walking distance of the park. When looking at
the survey results only from the people that live within walking distance, Option 3 was also the
preferred choice.
BUDGET:
There is $166,480 budgeted for this project. The cost of the new playground structure and
swings (option 3) for individuals aged two to five and five to twelve years old is $139,035. This
leaves $27,445 remaining, which will be used to install a concrete playground border,
benches, and engineered wood fiber surfacing.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Award a contract to Crouch Recreation, Elkhorn, Nebraska, to purchase and install
playground equipment, Option 3, for O'Neil Park, in the amount of $139,035.
2. Award a contract to one of the other vendors.
3. Refer this item back to staff for further information.
CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Residents of Ames, year after year, rate the playgrounds in the parks good or very good
over 90% of the time. In an effort to keep playground equipment safe and enjoyable, it
needs to be replaced on a periodic basis.
The playground structures in O'Neil Park are due for replacement. Based on feedback
from staff and residents, the option offered by Crouch Recreation is the most desired
playground equipment proposal. Therefore, is it the recommendation of the City Manager
that the City Council adopt Alternative #1 as noted above.
ATTACHMENT(S):
O'Neil Park Playground Options.pdf
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O’Neil Park Playground Options
Option 1:
Option 2:
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Option 3:
Alt text 1: Rendering showing a proposed playground design. The primary structure in the foreground features
purple framing, teal accents, an arched rope climbing framework, elevated platforms with a purple roof
canopy, a steep purple slide, accessible ramps, and climbing ladders. In the background sits a secondary
play structure with a teal roof canopy, attached slides, and a purple swing set frame featuring two belt
swings.
Alt text 2: Rendering showing a proposed playground design. The main play structure features blue and lime
green vertical arches, elevated walking bridges, climbable ladders, and two grey slides. A swing set frame
and a secondary smaller play structure with a blue tunnel slide stand nearby.
Alt text 3: Rendering showing a proposed playground design alongside close-up photos of equipment
features. The main panoramic view shows an outdoor park setting with labeled play components including a
Mega Deck, Mega Deck Upper Deck, a Supernova spinning ring, and a green swing set. A small overhead site
layout inset is shown in the upper left, while additional close-up images along the bottom and right
showcase children using the green and wood-toned play tower, slides, balance elements, and swings.
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