REPORT TO PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION
SUBJECT
Title
Introductory Community Outreach Meeting for the Magical Bridge All-Inclusive Playground Project in Central Park
Report
BACKGROUND
The City of Santa Clara (City) invited the community to a special event to bring a Magical Bridge all-inclusive playground to Central Park. The all-inclusive, all-access playground will provide a creative play space where people of all ages and abilities can explore at their own pace.
The Magical Bridge Foundation has a unique combination of expertise in the field of inclusive playgrounds, commitment to raise funds towards design and construction, and the ability to facilitate comprehensive outreach campaigns to raise funds and awareness for all-inclusive projects. Magical Bridge Foundation’s first inclusive playground was constructed at Mitchell Park in Palo Alto in 2015. The playgrounds are designed to meet all accessibility requirements and include unique play elements that address the needs of people with Autism Spectrum Disorder, sensory challenges, visual and auditory impairments, cognitive, developmental and physical disabilities, including the medically frail.
The City has an agreement with the Magical Bridge Foundation to: assist in community engagement, assist in and review project design, license the City to use the Magical Bridge Brand, and commitment to raise one million dollars towards the project. In addition, the City has an agreement with Groundswell Landscape Architects (Groundswell) to: conduct community outreach, complete the schematic design, complete the construction drawings and specifications (PS &E), provide bid support, and provide construction support. The Design Team will include the City Parks & Recreation and Public Works Departments and incorporate input from the various City commissions and community through the outreach and approval processes.
The City currently has $3.7 million budgeted in the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Budget project #3183. With an additional $1.0 million in corporate and community funds to be raised by Magical Bridge Foundation, the project budget will total $4.7 million.
DISCUSSION
At the October 15, 2019 Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting, Groundswell and the Magical Bridge Foundation will formally introduce the Magical Bridge concept and conduct the first community outreach meeting for Santa Clara residents and the Commission. The playground will meet the City’s Central Park Master Plan Guiding Principles, the County of Santa Clara All Inclusive Playground Grant Guidelines (AIPG) as well as research based best practices for all-inclusive playground design standards.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") Guidelines section 15378 as the action being considered is administrative and future discretionary approvals are required by the City to approve the project for construction.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact except for administrative time to support the Commission and the community outreach efforts for input on the playground Conceptual Design. The playground currently has $3.7 million budgeted in CIP Project No. 3183 (Project). Magical Bridge Foundation has agreed with the City to raise an additional $1.0 million for the Project. The additional $1.0 million that will be fundraised for the project will be appropriated prior to the construction award. Operations and maintenance of City parks is included in the Parks and Recreation Department’s operating budget.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Parks & Recreation Commission agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, e-mail clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Action to recommend community input and support for Magical Bridge Playground in Central Park.
Staff
Reviewed by: Dale Seale, Deputy Parks & Recreation Director
Approved by: James Teixeira, Director of Parks & Recreation
ATTACHMENTS
1. Magical Bridge - Parks & Recreation Commission Presentation 10-15-19