Title
Approve Godfrey Park Playground Renovation Design
Body
To: Honorable Chair and Members of the Recreation and Park Commission
From: Christina Bailey, Recreation Services Specialist
Re: Approve Godfrey Park Playground Renovation Design
BACKGROUND
Godfrey ranks as the oldest park on Bay Farm Island. It is nestled in the oldest neighborhood on Bay Farm Island. After a concerted effort in 1945, City Council reclaimed 4 acres of marshland on Beach Road to be dedicated as a park. The Council named this new park after Milton C. Godfrey, the City’s war time Mayor and for his many years of service. It started with a brand new recreation building in 1963. After a few years, new baseball field was put in as well as black top with basketball courts. A sandlot playground and a paved picnic area was also added. The ball field was reconfigured and remodeled in 2008-9.
DISCUSSION
The Alameda Recreation and Park Department introduced its Annual Playground Replacement Program in 2015, with Longfellow Park being the first playground improved. This project replaces one park playground each year with the oldest playgrounds, some of which are over 20 years old, to be replaced first. The design for each playground will be unique and will include community input. The playground safety surfaces will be changed from the existing wood fiber to poured-in-place rubber surfacing whenever possible. This program will bring Alameda playgrounds up to current ADA and safety requirements in addition to decrease annual maintenance costs. A different theme will be incorporated into each of our playgrounds.
The Alameda Recreation and Park Department reached out to three playground companies to come up with a design following a nature/fort theme. Companies were told to stay within a budget of $250,000, which was the amount allotted for this particular project through ---Development Impact Fees. We received designs from the following three companies: GameTime, NSP3, and Ross Recreation.
The playground equipment and related safety surface is considered an equipment purchase eligible for procurement and installation through California Multiple Award Schedules (CMAS). CMAS has ability to offer products and services at prices which have been assessed to be fair, reasonable and competitive. CMAS is a state purchasing agency whose cooperative purchasing contracts have been competitively solicited so that government agencies can utilize their contracts meeting all state, local and federal purchasing requirements, including prevailing wage rates. All three bidding companies were pre-approved with pre-negotiated pricing with CMAS.
Initial designs were reviewed by both full-time and part-time Alameda Recreation & Park Department staff with revisions and suggestions sent back to the companies.
On December 16th, the Alameda Recreation and Park Department hosted a Public Meeting at Godfrey Recreation Center to gather feedback from park neighbors, Tiny Tot parents, and anyone who was interested in the project. All three designs were displayed for the public to leave comments. The public was allowed to mark their overall favorite design proposal, their favorite elements, and leave specific comments on each design. There were roughly 30 people, both adults and children, in attendance.
Following the meeting, Staff reviewed the design preferences and public feedback, and selected NSP3 as the company to complete the project. Staff created a contract with NSP3 for the Godfrey Park Playground Renovation in the amount of $249,928.02.
Additional funds for the Godfrey Playground Renovation Project will be donated by the Alameda Friends of the Park Foundation in the amount of $20,000. The Alameda Friends of the Park Foundation is a continuous supporter of our Annual Playground Replacement Program.
In addition, Staff recommended a 4-foot high chain link fence be installed around the 2-5 year old playground space for added safety. This portion of the project will be completed during this time. Lastly, a shade structure will be installed in the picnic area to further enhance the look of the park.
The playground at Godfrey Park is scheduled to be completed in 2016, before the Alameda Recreation and Park Department’s Summer Program begins on June 22nd.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The Godfrey Playground Renovation Project and the Alameda Friends of the Park Foundation budget is not to exceed $270,000. Funds are included in the Capital Improvement Project Budget (91621) for FY 15-17 in the amount of $250,000 from Development Impact Fees.
In addition, the Alameda Friends of the Park Foundation has donated $20,000 to the project. Therefore, the total project budget is $270,000 which will include the playground (play areas for 2-5 and 5-12 year olds), safety surfacing, fencing around the 2-5 year old play area, and a shade structure over the picnic area.
RECOMMENDATION
Approve the request for the proposed Godfrey Playground Renovation Project Design in order to provide a new play experience in Alameda for its residents and visitors. This project shall not exceed the proposed $270,000 budget.
Respectfully Submitted,
Christina Bailey, Recreation Services Specialist
Exhibit 1: Godfrey Cost Proposal Document
Exhibit 2: Godfrey Design Proposal Document