6.c. Playground Equipment Update Memo_08032020To: Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee (PRC)
From: Cami Van Abel
cc: Patti Ray, City Council Representativie
Adam Hawkinson, Director of Public Works
Ken Cammilleri, City Administrator
Date: August 3, 2020
Re: City of Scandia (City) Playground Equipment
______________________________________________________________________
At our PRC meeting on July 6, 2020, we discussed the City’s Capital Improvement Plan
(CIP) recommendations for updating playground equipment currently located ad jacent
to the City Community Center and at the Wayne Erickson Lighted Ballfield (Ballfield). It
is anticipated the ballfield playground equipment will be updated in 2021, and the City
Community Center playground equipment will be updated in 2023. Currently, the City
has allocated $37,500 for the playground equipment updates for the Ballfield, with an
anticipated matching grant funding of $37,500, for a total budget of $75,000. The City
has allocated $57,500 for playground equipment updates at the City Co mmunity Center,
with an anticipated matching grant funding of $57,500, for a total budget of $115,000.
The existing playground equipment is reaching end of life use and the City has allocated
funds for their replacement. Community playgrounds have seve ral benefits including:
• Providing a gathering space for multi-generational community members
• Encouraging active play for children and caregivers
• Opportunities to add identifying characteristics to enhance community charm
• Providing an opportunity for outdoor education and connection
Proposed Planning Steps
The PRC is beginning to undertake the planning procedures associated with the
playground equipment upgrade. It is anticipated that the City Community Center
playground equipment to be updated will be in the same general location as the existing
equipment. The Ballfield playground equipment will likely need to be relocated to a
different location on site, as the existing playground equipment may be located in the
road right-of-way. It is anticipated that no significant grading or earthwork adjustments
will be needed at either sites to exchange the existing equipment for updated
equipment.
The proposed planning sequence for playground equipment replacement will consist of:
1. Performing community engagement to determine the desires and needs of
community for new playground and associated enhancements.
2. Evaluate grant opportunities for playground equipment upgrades.
3. Assessing proposed playground equipment budget, siting and schedule with the
results of community engagement.
4. If grant opportunities are identified, prepare applications and submittals.
5. Selecting playground equipment and layout (assume a minimum of 2 options will
be provided to the PRC for selection).
6. Prepare plans for existing playground equipment removal and disposal.
7. Recommend updated playground equipment and layout, and existing playground
removal plans, to the City Council for approval.
Community Engagement
PRC will implement the playground equipment upgrades by first undergoing community
engagement to determine the desires and needs of community for new playground and
associated enhancements. PRC proposes to do this through an online survey, such as
Survey Monkey, which has been used in the past community engagement activities.
Proposed inquiries regarding community desires and needs for updated playground
equipment and areas include:
• Current playgrounds the respondent frequently visits. It will include a list of
nearby parks to select (Big Marine Park Reserve, Gammelgarden, Scandia
Elementary, Forest Lake Playgrounds, Teddy Bear Park, etc.) and space to enter
in non-listed entry.
• Distance the respondent lives from downtown Scandia.
• Age range of child(ren).
• Playground equipment the respondent’s child(ren) enjoy the most (rope climb,
spinners, rock/climbing wall, sand diggers, slides, swings, zip line, etc.).
• Playground surfacing preferences (rubber, tire chips, sand, combination of
surfaces, etc.).
• Other non-traditional playground components the respondent would like to see at
playground area (i.e. space for outdoor yoga, nature educational boards, sensory
elements, etc.).
• Opportunity to provide for additional comments.
Once received the survey results will be compiled for selection of playground equipment
components.
Preliminary Grant Opportunities Evaluation
A preliminary online search for grants for community playground equipment yielded
several options. It should be noted that the majority of the playground equipment grants
are specific to communities with socio-economic conditions that would likely not apply to
the City. Identified playground grant opportunities without such population and
economic requirements include:
• GameTime Cares Community Assistance Program – issued by Minnesota
Wisconsin Playground. Must use their specific playground equipment structures.
Grant price points (100% matching) are $7,000, $11,000 or $25,000. Grant
applications due 10/30/20.
https://mnwiplay.com/playground-grant/
• No Child Left Inside – issued by the Minnesota Department of Natural
Resources. Grants were awarded in January 2020 – it is anticipated this funding
will be reissued for next year. Project needs to include recreational/nature
education component. Min. grant is $5,000, max is $49,999.
https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/no-child-grants/index.html
• Osceola Community Health Grants – Issued by Osceola Community Health
Foundation. Grants are issued by the OCHF to build healthy communities within
15-miles of Osceola. Grant applications are due March 15th.
http://myochf.org/grant_information.html