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Parks staff recommend Ventura; board approves vendor services and schedules public design meetings
Summary
The board supported staff’s recommendation to secure playground-design and procurement services from Ventura (Landscape Structures distributor) and set public input dates for design work on Pump House and Popleton playground projects.
Birmingham parks staff recommended, and the Parks and Recreation Board voted to support, a multi-year services agreement with Ventura (a Michigan-based distributor for Landscape Structures) to design and help procure playground equipment for multiple park projects, including a universal-access playground at Popleton Park.
Carrie Laird, parks and recreation manager, told the board April 1 that the department solicited proposals from multiple vendors and evaluated them on vendor profile, capacity, warranties, design turnaround and ability to provide site furnishings. Staff recommended Ventura because of its local presence, certified design staff, accessibility-focused equipment, strong warranty and quicker concept-delivery timelines compared with other proposers.
Brad McNabb, parks foreman, said the recommended vendor’s equipment is “above and beyond” competitors for inclusive design and warranty support. Staff clarified the current agreement covers design and procurement services only; equipment purchases will proceed as separate purchase orders and will require commission approval when the city advances to buying equipment.
Board members approved the staff recommendation in a roll-call vote. The board also approved outreach plans: staff will hold public input sessions for the first two playground projects (Pump House Park and, later, Popleton Park) and use social media, flyers and partner organizations to reach neighborhood residents and stakeholder groups.
Staff provided budgetary references used for concept-level designs: a $600,000 playground-plus-surfacing concept for one Pump House-area playground and a $900,000 concept for Popleton Park’s fully accessible playground. Carrie Laird said those figures are conceptual budgets for design exercises and that final procurement will reflect selection and bids.
Ending
Staff will schedule and promote public design meetings for the identified parks; the board instructed staff to return with concept options and a public-feedback summary before purchase decisions are presented to the City Commission.
