REPORT TO PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION
SUBJECT
Title
Review Henry Schmidt Park Playground Conditions and Commission's Current "Top Ten" Priority List of Park Playground Rehabilitation Projects
Report
BACKGROUND
The City Council has adopted "strategic pillars" to help focus City priorities, including "to enhance community sports, recreational and arts assets", "to deliver and enhance high quality efficient services and infrastructure," and "to enhance community engagement and transparency." The Parks & Recreation Commission in their advisory role periodically reviews the prioritization of park projects and provides feedback based on the park facilities' ages, conditions, usage, new funding opportunities, adjacent projects and community input. In 2017-2018, the City completed a Parks & Recreation Facility Condition Assessment (FCA) (Kitchell, 2018). The FCA inventoried all existing park assets including buildings, major features and amenities such as pathways, sports courts, playing fields, playgrounds, pools, parking lots, etc. The FCA provided a "Park Condition Index" (PCI) or "Building Condition Index" (BCI), based on a numerical rating for each facility: Good (0-4); Fair (5-10); Poor (11-30); and Critical (31+).
On February 19, 2019, the Commission established an ad hoc subcommittee to provide input on a "top ten list" of the most "critical" and "poor" park playground facilities for future Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Budgets. Playgrounds are an integral part of neighborhood parks and provide access for essential recreational activities that include running, climbing, brachiating, swinging, spinning, balancing, sliding, and imaginative play. These activities address the developmental needs of children and the physical, cognitive and social needs of park guests.
On August 20, 2019, the Commission recommended to Council a "Top Ten List of Potential Park Playground and/or Rehabilitation Projects" (Attachment 1). Periodically, the Commission reviews ...
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