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Board approves moving Welcome Park bond funds to Harbordale Elementary joint-use playground
Summary
The Parks and Recreation Board unanimously approved transferring Welcome Park bond funds to Harbordale Elementary School’s joint-use playground, increasing the school’s available budget but leaving a modest shortfall staff said can be managed across phases.
The board voted to reallocate bond funding originally set for Welcome Park to Harbordale Elementary School to support a joint-use playground.
Staff described the background: Welcome Park was included in the parks bond list with an allocated budget of about $183,000; Harbordale Elementary School had been allocated roughly $275,000 for playground replacement and court resurfacing. Staff proposed transferring the Welcome Park allocation to the school to raise the combined funding to about $458,000. Marilyn Romano, president of the Harbordale Civic Association, urged the board to approve the transfer and described the school playground as a long-awaited joint-use priority. Romano said the school’s existing playground equipment is about 20 years old and that replacing the equipment and surfacing — and expanding the adjacent sandy play area into the surfaced play area — would be a “game changer” for the neighborhood.
Staff acknowledged a remaining shortfall of approximately $42,000 to reach staff’s fuller estimate for the joint-use scope; staff said some elements (shading, additional fencing or site service work) could be phased and that $275,000 of the school portion is already funded while remaining funds come from later bond disbursement phases. Board members discussed phasing the work and whether proceeding in portions risks higher future costs; staff responded they will work to accelerate funding as feasible and manage scope by phases so construction can begin without waiting for later disbursements.
A motion to move Welcome Park’s funds to Harbordale Elementary School’s joint-use playground was made and seconded; the board approved the transfer by roll call. Staff will adjust the bond disbursement schedule and begin coordinating design and permitting with the school and community partners.
Ending: Staff will return with design and timing details and will manage the remaining shortfall through phasing and budget adjustments as allowed by the parks bond schedule.
