Stark County commissioners on Monday were told a set of playground components delivered for the Lakeview Park project do not match the original selection residents had agreed on, prompting the board to cancel two back-ordered items and seek other options.
Commissioner Claris said a set of playground equipment intended for the Lakeview Estates site was delivered but differed from the units residents and staff had expected. "The new piece of equipment that was actually here and delivered, looks nothing like it," he told the board after meeting with Dickinson Parks & Recreation staff and neighborhood representatives.
County staff located an invoice for $34,743.80 for the delivered "Big Sky" unit. Two additional items — a "bounce and balance spring rider" and a "leap climber" — remained on back order with a combined cost the county estimated at about $15,000. County representatives said the supplier will allow cancellation of the not-yet-built items without a restocking fee; returning the already-delivered unit would likely incur a restocking charge (the supplier quoted a 25% restocking fee) and the county had already incurred roughly $3,000 in shipping costs.
The board voted to cancel the two back-ordered components and directed staff to seek alternatives, including local suppliers Dickinson Parks & Rec uses, and to explore return or resale options for the delivered unit. The motion to cancel the two back-ordered items passed on a roll call vote with all commissioners voting aye.
Why it matters: The playground purchase has already exceeded initial budget estimates: commissioners said the original plan allocated about $25,000 for playground equipment; with delivery and other line items the lakeside project’s equipment spending had grown substantially. Commissioners said they want to avoid further unplanned expenditures and prefer working with local vendors where service and parts are more assured.
Next steps: Staff will confirm the supplier’s refund and restocking terms for the undelivered items, pursue return options for the delivered unit with an eye to reducing the county’s net loss, and solicit local quotes for equipment and installation for spring construction. The board said it expects to revisit the scope and cost estimates at the October meeting.