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Selectmen approve $766,069 Waveny playground contract; project funded by town, state grant and donors
Summary
The Board approved a contract and purchase order to install an inclusive playground at Waveny Park for $766,069, funded by a town capital account, Friends of Waveny fundraising, and a Connecticut STEAP grant; approval contingent on Town Council action.
New Canaan — The Board of Selectmen on Sept. 16 voted unanimously to approve contracts and a purchase order to build an inclusive playground at Waveny Park. The project will use equipment from MRC Inc. with surfacing and related services provided by third parties under a Connecticut state contract purchasing agreement.
Parks staff and the Waveny Playground Committee presented the project and its funding. The equipment and installation contract with MRC Inc. is $724,234 for equipment, installation, and surfacing; the project includes input and materials from Rubber Recycle and Pat Corsetti Inc. Staff added a project contingency of $41,835, bringing the total requested authorization to $766,069. The town will pay for the work from three sources: a Parks capital account (playground replacement), funds raised by the Friends of Waveny Playground, and a Connecticut STEAP (Small Town Economic Assistance) grant, the presenters said.
Why it matters: The playground is designed as an inclusive, accessible facility with climbing structures, swings, ramps, sensory and communication elements, music chimes, and accessible routes. Committee members and Friends representatives described communication signage to aid non‑verbal users and said project design sought to align with local special‑education communication tools used in schools.
Discussion and conditions: Committee members and selectmen discussed expected equipment lifespan (vendors cited warranty ranges and suggested 10–20 years depending on maintenance) and future maintenance and replacement funding. Staff said the Friends had already transferred committed fundraising funds to the town and that the purchase and contract approvals are contingent on Town Council approval under Town Code Chapter 10 (approval of improvements, section 10-2). The procuring department confirmed a contingency and discussed potential use of any remaining funds for benches, landscaping, or a future maintenance account.
Board action: The board approved a motion to enter into a contract and a purchase order with MRC Inc. in the amount of $724,234 plus a contingency of $41,835 for a total project cost of $766,069, subject to Town Council approval. The motion passed unanimously.
Next steps: The department plans to order equipment and proceed with construction in 2026; staff said site work and final fence/landscaping design will follow and that the Friends and town may sustain a maintenance fund from unused contingency or additional fundraising.
