The Clifton Municipal Council authorized purchases for new playground safety surfacing and equipment on Sept. 16, but the approval drew objections from council members who said they had not received full engineering plans and that parts of the project may not be fully inclusive.

What the council approved: motions to procure playground surfacing and playground equipment were moved and seconded and carried through the consent/action items portion of the meeting.

Questions raised during discussion
- Plans and procurement timing: Council members said they were told earlier that engineering site plans existed; when pressed, staff produced only concept drawings and a picture. One council member said the concept design was OK for direct‑install swingset swaps but asked where formal engineering site plans were for a permanent rubberized surfacing installation. Staff said CME (the consultant) had advised the concept approach was acceptable and that a firm engineer would be engaged if site complexity increased (for example, splash pads requiring piping and electrical infrastructure).
- Inclusivity and scope: A councilmember objected to “half” all‑inclusive parks and requested that equipment procurements prioritize full accessibility for children with special needs; staff said the project has inclusive components but that some zones would be phased or are not designed as fully all‑inclusive play areas.
- Funding and transparency: A councilmember asked how the $750,000 or awarded amounts would be funded; staff referenced an earlier memo showing a mix of open space trust funds and county grants and noted a prior agenda memo would be re‑circulated for full clarity. One member asked for the specific breakdown (e.g., $250,000 county open space grant referenced in discussion) and asked for it to be attached to the project documents.

Context and next steps: Staff said the concept plans were forwarded to CME, which recommended a direct‑install approach for standard playground swaps; any additional infrastructure or complex utilities would trigger formal engineering. Council members asked staff to re‑send the funding memo and to document which elements are fully inclusive and which are phased.

Ending: The council approved the purchases with objections noted; members asked staff for clearer documentation on funding sources, restored engineering plans if required, and a firm statement on the extent of inclusive play features.