[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6076690,"mediaKeyId","2968214-d8e8b61b28fe36c0443d1c312221bd84","parentId",2968214,"title","Neighbor asks parks board for clarity after Derby Well site designated as parkland","audioSeconds",1287,"startMs",3277000,"endMs",4564000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2968214-d8e8b61b28fe36c0443d1c312221bd84&start=3277&end=4564","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2968214-d8e8b61b28fe36c0443d1c312221bd84/thumbnail_3277000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6076690/Birmingham-City/Oakland-County/Michigan/Neighbor-asks-parks-board-for-clarity-after-Derby-Well-site-designated-as-parkland","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6076690-4285e9aeb229e45e96128c6105c39322/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191451&Signature=ZDnHWx~-C03TjdVTrv2J8aJorEn6N6aPZeZEC27Wgjc1ZA7uWCp3P9lPiI8bssAA9ppO1UMkk3g9Z86pJs77JKJB9xvMBiXCU4tif-b3SnerZfUvQt8RURsJHGXj0FGePNbAhnHHJjELhGFYQLC86-UVOgYDoRKQB~ZJZx3n0SeVcckSY7t8GhEeU~SlX9FzMxh2FBk4ARG6ci1lCzAh7aUWuiD5B2ND6fRi1GtcdMNa1w5teFZfAi4CvDOoLWGMz7DifmpTUhR8nrmxf56szv7DiUHlxpixhGO7OVHgJhuamqEskZIM~0kWMau2zWAWgepOXTNZXAhqvce4nseaiw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Birmingham, MI","date","2025-04-01T00:00:00Z","article","A resident representing the Grayfield Colony Condominium Association told the Parks and Recreation Board April 1 that her building backs directly onto the Derby Well site and sought clarification on what residents should expect as the city moves to designate well sites as park property.

Jill Kaylor, speaking for the association, described longstanding maintenance problems along the railroad edge of the site and asked about likely next steps, including fencing, signage and mechanisms to address trespass and cleanup. “We are an association of 4 units and the Derby Well site is our backyard,” Kaylor said, asking to be involved in planning and notification steps.

Parks staff responded that the timing was appropriate for neighborhood input and that staff plans social-media outreach and direct neighborhood engagement for well-site naming and possible repurposing. Staff said any official name changes would require City Commission approval and that staff would summarize neighborhood feedback; they encouraged Kaylor and other residents to participate in upcoming outreach.

Ending

Staff said they will include nearby residents in outreach for naming and use decisions for well sites, and that they will return with a report summarizing neighborhood feedback before recommending official name changes to the City Commission.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","04.01.2025 Parks and Recreation Board","oneSentenceSummary","A condo association near the Derby Well site asked the parks board how nearby residents will be involved as the city considers converting well sites to park space, noting longstanding encroachment and maintenance issues along the railroad boundary.","taxTitle","Birmingham City, Oakland County, Michigan","taxId",48746,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6076695,"Board approves pour-in-place rubber surfacing at Adams Park; staff selects Michigan Recreational Construction",844,4522000,5366000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2968214-d8e8b61b28fe36c0443d1c312221bd84&start=4522&end=5366","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2968214-d8e8b61b28fe36c0443d1c312221bd84/thumbnail_4522000.jpg","/articles/6076695/Birmingham-City/Oakland-County/Michigan/Board-approves-pour-in-place-rubber-surfacing-at-Adams-Park-staff-selects-Michigan-Recreational-Construction","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6076695-0391586aacc5017d4ded159d4ef048a3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191451&Signature=HPh37BHCJIuqfGeQ5K0CaRBc5canedQ4HeV1HAUeJ40VQpCzRK~4SXxGOuKoUUnRyNAuA~1KSuK6AMKI7sPhhiufak9X8kbsONMErFzBT9IT4CFPlcO5E4oQ6FkKcMO-C8H2DvAS99FR1yKjPFA4U9cK3-9L09utweuap~JrVLXseo5TBeKzzuX6k4jtNdQVsqqYsAkGaGylPQz~jWgQtOTJtfWiNrPO4CBc9qnUNeVB4JApqHvCRgwr~WX54YlsOvvgeQo0UYRN39G4Lixs5ge6PM3w8Np7qZvQsJywC7hmKL3A4myvseCRyXzXArgsa37Co4hQVvjXEMffISDSgQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Parks and Recreation Board voted April 1 to move forward with a pour-in-place rubber surfacing installation over a concrete base at Adams Park and to seek purchase approval from Michigan Recreational Construction.

Parks staff said the work is aimed at improving accessibility and reducing chronic maintenance associated with engineered wood-fiber surfaces. Brad McNabb and Carrie Laird noted that while engineered wood fiber meets minimum ADA standards, it can create mobility problems for wheelchair users or people with other mobility aids and requires frequent replenishment. Staff solicited quotes and received four proposals; the lowest-cost, locally trusted vendor was Michigan Recreational Construction for a pour-in-place rubber surfacing over a concrete base.

Staff recommended a concrete base beneath the rubber surfacing to extend life and reduce in-house repairs. A comparison presented to the board listed an artificial-turf option (Forever Lawn) at about $23,422 and pour-in-place quotes from Michigan Recreational Construction at $30,900 over a stone base and $37,400 over a concrete base; staff recommended the concrete-base pour-in-place for longevity and reduced maintenance.

The board approved staff’s purchase request by roll call and authorized staff to finalize the procurement details and schedule the work. Staff said funds are budgeted for the work and that the vendor indicated the installation could be completed in a matter of weeks once scheduled; staff had asked respondents to commit to work before November to fit the department’s construction calendar.

Ending

Staff will finalize a color selection (staff indicated a neutral beige to keep surface temperature lower) and coordinate scheduling with the vendor; staff will return to the board with a timeline and any required follow-up for maintenance planning.","The Parks Board approved staff’s recommendation to install a pour-in-place rubber surface over a concrete base at Adams Park and authorized staff to seek approval for purchase from Michigan Recreational Construction; staff cited durability and lower maintenance as reasons to prefer rubber surfacing over artificial turf.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6076700,"Parks staff recommend Ventura; board approves vendor services and schedules public design meetings",702,3370000,4072000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2968214-d8e8b61b28fe36c0443d1c312221bd84&start=3370&end=4072","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2968214-d8e8b61b28fe36c0443d1c312221bd84/thumbnail_3370000.jpg","/articles/6076700/Birmingham-City/Oakland-County/Michigan/Parks-staff-recommend-Ventura-board-approves-vendor-services-and-schedules-public-design-meetings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6076700-8d25cc86d50aae59a923ac06ebc0f936/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191451&Signature=VRhHax8Q0jLo6LA04oS9B~gB~E3e-BYCh5wk5zUBXrhzatotzmf646qsSp~3vq1DySB3cNAmWPp-1sA3qMFMM56tua5VLe1MTX~7rEdz~DMTLykV4dfC6rWJ43Wm4Zkju3dnqE7jmxIUn11yhXsNDovCOC~YJfhZ619cfuowLWjbOqsWdhVp1Koxht34I6wOeDlkQsDIlJIQY29fJd10nHFK94lAGxX5fQp~oYhT1WGpuiiF7ta7RWLz9budOrfvY7YHsaVSkTjcTjVa3ZXj1cpCYv4wO12uYvpkyHHxB8ikIHFNl8mLtiPoR5-0F0vizUYo0ZtEdfrSn9RLi-cwJA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Birmingham parks staff recommended, and the Parks and Recreation Board voted to support, a multi-year services agreement with Ventura (a Michigan-based distributor for Landscape Structures) to design and help procure playground equipment for multiple park projects, including a universal-access playground at Popleton Park.

Carrie Laird, parks and recreation manager, told the board April 1 that the department solicited proposals from multiple vendors and evaluated them on vendor profile, capacity, warranties, design turnaround and ability to provide site furnishings. Staff recommended Ventura because of its local presence, certified design staff, accessibility-focused equipment, strong warranty and quicker concept-delivery timelines compared with other proposers.

Brad McNabb, parks foreman, said the recommended vendor’s equipment is “above and beyond” competitors for inclusive design and warranty support. Staff clarified the current agreement covers design and procurement services only; equipment purchases will proceed as separate purchase orders and will require commission approval when the city advances to buying equipment.

Board members approved the staff recommendation in a roll-call vote. The board also approved outreach plans: staff will hold public input sessions for the first two playground projects (Pump House Park and, later, Popleton Park) and use social media, flyers and partner organizations to reach neighborhood residents and stakeholder groups.

Staff provided budgetary references used for concept-level designs: a $600,000 playground-plus-surfacing concept for one Pump House-area playground and a $900,000 concept for Popleton Park’s fully accessible playground. Carrie Laird said those figures are conceptual budgets for design exercises and that final procurement will reflect selection and bids.

Ending

Staff will schedule and promote public design meetings for the identified parks; the board instructed staff to return with concept options and a public-feedback summary before purchase decisions are presented to the City Commission.","The board supported staff’s recommendation to secure playground-design and procurement services from Ventura (Landscape Structures distributor) and set public input dates for design work on Pump House and Popleton playground projects.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6076705,"Parks board presses for bathroom access, raises concerns about 42-foot parking encroachment for new senior/community center",2382,412000,2794000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2968214-d8e8b61b28fe36c0443d1c312221bd84&start=412&end=2794","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2968214-d8e8b61b28fe36c0443d1c312221bd84/thumbnail_412000.jpg","/articles/6076705/Birmingham-City/Oakland-County/Michigan/Parks-board-presses-for-bathroom-access-raises-concerns-about-42-foot-parking-encroachment-for-new-seniorcommunity-center","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6076705-dda6966fccc388e1cf6eeadb07a8f1f5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191451&Signature=OvB6FmoheoICbpcUDOGsQGZYwFqztQToXROC7tw~JsagONx-7aH6cNGEOktd9nEvkc6NtlUZXI4xG0GmOHPTJLWBfnps2-O6liLyUA5ZaM3L6GSZzqDW5mL6cVZH~RRZy-DfgquxW3HLeTBeSD5zpUSe-WQ-aFvh8o8-RsiQ0Q1Rref-~6p5SSDXyLXSu2dX0uk~dEtcx6Cdryy4BeKBdkg8ATnk0MSY-REPV45m1cuvMpTi1qIlS-EUCBsOjg9LWNshPCkOrUR9y2pGY4k39DA26ae0U8vHq35jqsy~cLJKtVgPx7DYGOytCBPTalCRxuWpCHuj5xvFEAkNvzEg0A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Birmingham Parks and Recreation Board on April 1 urged city project leads to secure public bathroom access in a proposed senior/community center and raised objections to a parking layout that would move a lot roughly 42 feet into Saint James Park.

Board members and parks staff spent more than an hour reviewing schematic “test-fit” plans that show how a three-level center — with the gym and pool partially below grade and community spaces above — would sit beside the park. Scott Lewinsky, director of public services, described the design work as a step to “explore adjacencies and noise” and to show how rooms, entries and parking would be arranged.

The board’s central concern was loss of green space. Several members said they would accept reduced park turf only if the city-obtained tradeoffs were meaningful to park users — in particular, an accessible public restroom in the new building that the public could use without an onerous check-in process. “If we’re willing to give up parking lot space because then that’s one less thing that the parks has to pay for and maintain,” a parks board member said, urging staff to press for restroom access, but board discussion repeatedly emphasized that the parks department did not want to surrender parkland without direct benefit to the park.

Board members and staff outlined specific impacts and tradeoffs under consideration. The recommended parking plan would move the proposed lot about 42 feet south compared with the current lot line; staff noted that shift both increases the number of spaces by roughly 27 and puts parts of the new lot closer to the park’s playing field and to existing drainage infrastructure. Carrie Laird, parks and recreation manager, and Brad McNabb, parks foreman, flagged drainage and field-grade concerns: existing storm drains and a southwest drain cluster fall close to the play area and could conflict with a relocated field if the field is shifted south.

Parks staff said the city engineering team has already placed drain tie-ins in the park’s southwest corner in anticipation of future upgrades, and that moving the field or the lot would require careful coordination so that play areas and drainage points are not compromised. Staff also raised scheduling and funding questions: the center design work is advancing toward a schematic review on April 16 and could move to a bond referendum later in the year; any construction timing and whether park improvements would be included in bond language remain to be decided.

Board members suggested possible negotiables that would make traded parkland acceptable: guaranteed, easily accessible public restrooms in the building (distinct from locker/changing rooms), maintenance commitments for impacted park areas, shared use agreements for parking during peak times (including potential short-term arrangements with nearby institutional lots), and design concessions that limit the building’s visual impact on the neighborhood. Several members also urged staff to check the city’s master plan language and to return recommended talking points the Parks Board can communicate to the City Commission as schematic designs are refined.

Staff said the YMCA would operate the pool and would run most programming, but that the facility is intended to serve multiple community groups and to reserve some community hours. The pool was described in the meeting as a five-lane facility with diving blocks, accessible ramp entry and a lift; length and lane configurations are being finalized with aquatic consultants.

The board asked staff to return with more specific notes for negotiation — for example, where restrooms would be sited relative to the main entry and whether park users could enter without membership checks — and to flag items the Parks Board can insist on if the board is being asked to accept parkland loss. No formal action or vote was taken on the Saint James schematic at the April 1 meeting; members asked staff to include the board’s concerns in upcoming schematic reviews and to communicate the board’s preferred tradeoffs to the City Commission.

Ending

Staff indicated the project remains in schematic design and that an April 16 schematic-design review meeting is scheduled. The Parks Board asked staff to prepare a short list of “must-have” park benefits (bathroom access, maintenance commitments, parking management and coordinated construction sequencing) to present at the next meeting so the board can formally convey its position to the City Commission during the design phase.","Birmingham Parks and Recreation Board discussed schematic plans for a new senior/community center adjacent to Saint James Park, pressing city project leaders for guaranteed public bathroom access and flagging a proposal that would shift the parking lot 42 feet into parkland to create about 27 new spaces.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Neighbor asks parks board for clarity after Derby Well site designated as parkland

Board approves pour-in-place rubber surfacing at Adams Park; staff selects Michigan Recreational Construction

Parks staff recommend Ventura; board approves vendor services and schedules public design meetings

Parks board presses for bathroom access, raises concerns about 42-foot parking encroachment for new senior/community center