Park advisory board agrees to order multi-piece exercise circuit for City Park to capture manufacturer incentive

The Park Advisory Board agreed by consensus Sept. 2 to order a multi-piece outdoor exercise circuit for City Park to take advantage of a manufacturer incentive, staff said.

Board members and staff said the equipment package will include the six most popular pieces from a public preference survey, a required knee‑lift station that was added for about $700, and signage to explain use. Chelsea, a staff member who led the project, said the order must be placed by Oct. 15 to qualify for current incentives and staff expects installation next fiscal year "weather permitting." Chelsea also said, "we were actually going to be able to get the top 6 pieces," and that "it was around $700" to add the knee lift required by the program.

The board’s decision follows staff outreach at a recent Sunday market, where members of the public filled out preference forms. Staff presented color and layout recommendations from the manufacturer representative MRCREC; the board favored a bright color palette (blue with orange accents) to attract attention. Staff said the fall‑protection surface will be engineered wood fiber, not rubberized surfacing shown in some manufacturer photos, and that public works plans to install a pathway to improve access.

Board members discussed siting options and drainage. Staff said the preferred location is near the playground, restrooms and a small parking area, in a relatively wet part of the park but in a spot public works has identified as feasible. Staff noted some small trees will be removed to fit the circuit but that they will avoid placing equipment directly under larger shade trees to reduce debris accumulation.

The board discussed add‑ons and amenities: staff said benches are not currently budgeted but they will try to include one or two if costs allow; signage for equipment use is included in the vendor package but may require supplemental materials. Staff also described flexibility to purchase equipment from other manufacturers in the future if needed, though the current vendor has state contract relationships and offered favorable pricing.

Discussion only: board members asked about fall height for a low balance beam and whether the equipment would appear playground‑like; staff said the equipment is designed for broad usability rather than specialist gym use. Direction/assignment: staff will place the order before the Oct. 15 incentive deadline and coordinate installation timing with public works. Formal action: the board reached a consensus to proceed; no formal motion or roll‑call vote was recorded.

Installation timing and outcome remain contingent on site conditions and weather. Staff said the installation is "easier than a lot of playground equipment" because most pieces are post‑based but will require excavation and fall‑protection surfacing. The board plans a small ribbon‑cutting when the equipment is installed.

Ending: Staff will proceed with ordering the package, coordinate with public works on site preparation, and report back on procurement status and installation scheduling.