REPORT TO PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION
SUBJECT
Title
Consideration of the Proposed Schematic Design for the Magical Bridge All-Inclusive Playground Project in Central Park (Council Pillar: Enhance Community Sports, Recreational and Arts Assets)
Report
BACKGROUND
The City's Park and Recreation design standards promote community health, wellness, and inclusion for all ages and abilities (City of Santa Clara is a World Health Organization "Age Friendly City"), as well as support environmental sustainability and integration with the natural habitat. The 1960's era, metal, wood and stone Arbor Center Playground has been identified in the Parks & Recreation Facility Condition Assessment (Kitchell, 2018) as in critical condition. The Central Park Master Plan proposed to rehabilitate the area with an all-inclusive playground in an expanded area of approximately one acre in size, that would provide zones featuring distinct play elements, to address the developmental needs of children and the physical, cognitive and social needs of all playground guests.
In 2017, the County of Santa Clara (County) initiated an All-Inclusive Playground Grant (AIPG) Program with successive rounds of competitive funding. On April 3, 2018, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 18-8511 which approved an AIPG application in Round Two and delegated authority to the City Manager to execute County grant documents, to develop a Letter of Intent with Magical Bridge Foundation, and to approve related City budget amendments. While the County did not fund the City's application in Round Two, additional County funding was made available, and on October 9, 2018, the Council adopted Resolution No. 18-8610 to authorize the City to submit a new grant application that was successful. On March 29, 2019, the City entered into a grant agreement with the County for a Magical Bridge All Inclusive Playground in Central Park (Project) in the amount of approximately $4.6 million dollars. The Project is to be ...
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