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Council approves $2.05 million Kids Kingdom replacement; staff to preserve memorial elements
Summary
Council approved purchase and replacement of the Kids Kingdom playground for up to $2,047,499.31, selecting a modern, warrantied play structure and a mixed surfacing option. Council members emphasized preserving memorial pickets and asked staff to explore ways to retain the park's legacy.
The Rowlett City Council voted 5–1 on Feb. 18 to approve the purchase of a new playground, surfacing and related improvements for Kids Kingdom from We Build Fun, Inc., for a price not to exceed $2,047,499.31.
Parks staff and the vendor presented two design styles for the main play structure (a faux-wood/composite look and a high-pressure-laminate look) and two surfacing options: all pour-in-place rubber surfacing, or a mix of poured-in-place surfacing and artificial turf in selected areas. The council motion approved the composite-wood style with the mixed surfacing option (turf plus pour-in-place).
Staff said a large share of the existing structure's parts are difficult to source and that vendors were unwilling to refurbish the old, volunteer-built structure except with very long lead times or at high cost; one firm quoted long lead times and large replacement costs. City staff explained that replacing the entire main structure now, with a manufacturer-warrantied product, would shorten closure time and provide longer-term warranty coverage (15–20 years for the proposed options) compared with repeated partial repairs.
The approved contract covers demolition of the existing feature (with the exception of retaining the sand pit and pavilion features and repairing the zip line), new surfacing and installation; the vendor estimated 14–16 weeks for production and installation once permits and procurement are complete. Council members asked staff to explore ways to preserve and memorialize existing engraved pickets and other legacy materials; staff agreed to present options for preserving those commemorative elements.
Why it matters: Kids Kingdom is Rowlett's flagship playground and a highly visible community asset. Council's approval moves the project into procurement and construction with the goal of reopening the refreshed park in summer 2025.
Actions taken: Council approved the playground purchase and installation contract not to exceed $2,047,499.31 (vote 5–1).
