The Parks Board on Oct. 8 unanimously approved a concept plan to replace and renovate playground equipment at Castle Park and Robot Park and directed staff to hold an open house on Nov. 8 to collect public comments.

The plan calls for two themed play areas: a “Castle” area intended primarily for children about 5 to 12, and a “Robot” area aimed at roughly 2 to 5-year-olds, with equipment and surfacing designed to improve accessibility and durability. Mr. Howell, director of public services, said the Robot Park “is designed for smaller kids, 2 to 5 ish range,” and that both parks include activities intended to be “all inclusive.”

Board members and staff said the concept preserves the existing footprints of both parks while adding new features: a castle with multiple turrets, ramps and slides; a pirate-ship element with rope bridges and cannons; a large robot structure with three activity levels; sensory and play panels; basket and ADA swings; a multi-person seesaw; spinning elements called a “supernova”; a small “monkey trail” obstacle; and accessible carousels that can accommodate wheelchairs and strollers.

Staff said the castle structure will be built of a longer-lasting material described in the meeting as “rubidium wood” and that all slides will be plastic rather than metal to avoid heat issues in summer. Mr. Howell also told the board that the surface turf will be woven into the colored areas rather than painted and that the turf and the castle material are expected to last “at least 20 years.”

Accessibility and circulation were a focus during board questions. Mr. Howell said ramps and the chosen turf surface will allow people using wheelchairs to roll across the play areas and that staff will aim to make connecting sidewalks as wide as funding allows — “more than likely, it’ll be closer to 10 feet wide.” He also said existing memorial bricks and the veterans memorial will be relocated within the park to open space between the two playgrounds.

The board asked about maintenance and repair. Mr. Howell said current park staff can perform ongoing repairs on the equipment and surfacing. Lighting and safety fencing were described as separate city projects; staff indicated the city will install wrought-iron fencing and lighting rather than include them in the playground contract.

The Parks Board approved two formal actions during the meeting: first, approval of the Jan. 8, 2025 meeting minutes (motion by Mr. Skinner, seconded by Ms. Adelman; vote reported as four yes, one abstention); and second, approval of the Castle Park and Robot Park concept plan and direction to hold a public open house on Nov. 8 and return public comments to the board at a future meeting (motion by Mr. Skinner, seconded by Ms. Adelman; vote unanimous 5–0).

Staff recommended the board approve the concept plan and said the public will be shown accessory pieces and grouped options at the open house so residents can help prioritize equipment within the project's budget. Staff said final equipment selection and placement will be refined after public feedback and as funding allows.

Board Chair called the vote on the concept plan after discussion and the Parks Board carried the motion unanimously. Staff will schedule the open house for Nov. 8 and return with public comments at the next Parks Board meeting.