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Residents raise safety, seating and cost concerns over new Rancho Laguna Park tables
Summary
Two residents urged the Moraga Town Council to review recently delivered picnic tables and benches at Rancho Laguna Park, citing sharp metal edges, a large purchase price they said was about $353,000, and a reduction in seating capacity if the replacements stay as delivered.
Two residents told the Moraga Town Council Aug. 27 that replacement picnic tables and benches staged at Rancho Laguna Park appear unsafe, out of scale with the site and expensive, and asked the town to re-evaluate the procurement.
“I honestly did not believe him when he said that because they look like they're something from Mars,” resident Lisa Colton said after describing how a local regular identified the new fixtures as the park’s replacements. Colton said the cluster of heavy, oddly shaped pieces had exposed metal at their bases and that a finger could get “a little metal sliver” if rubbed along the base. She told the council she was told the purchase price was roughly $353,000 for 15 tables and that the replacements were acquired without public input, she said.
Another speaker, who identified himself as a retired general contractor, said the new tabletops are about 8 feet long while the existing tables are roughly 14 to 16 feet, and that the change would reduce seating capacity across the park by about 96 seats if all existing tables were replaced with the new design.
Town Manager Scott Mitnick responded during the consent-calendar discussion that staff would follow up with the residents, clarify the budget and procurement history, and meet to answer questions. The council did not vote or take formal action on the park furniture during the meeting; a council member who had pulled consent item 6.7 said staff would follow up on public comments and bring the residents up to speed on the process to date.
Discussion vs. decision: The item was presented during public comment and generated staff follow-up direction; the council did not adopt any policy changes or orders at the Aug. 27 meeting.
Background and clarifying details: Colton said she was told the delivery included 15 tables and that the council previously authorized a 16th table; she and a second speaker offered estimates that lower-cost options (redwood or recycled composite) were available at roughly $1,500–$3,000 per table in their view. Town staff said they would clarify the actual procurement amounts and authorities.
