Wildwood committee advances Village Green playground fundraising and contracts, approves design and equipment purchase plan

The City of Wildwood Planning and Parks Committee on June 17 endorsed next steps for Village Green’s all‑inclusive playground, advancing a revised fundraising brochure and authorizing staff to prepare contracts covering design and engineering, equipment purchase and construction.

The committee approved a motion asking staff to revise the fundraising brochure (more photos, simpler copy and clearer sponsorship recognition), to develop recognition options (donor wall, bricks/recognition walk, and levels tied to equipment or sponsorship tiers), and to form a small volunteer fundraising committee to solicit corporate and individual donors.

Why it matters: The playground is the centerpiece of Village Green phase 2 and is funded through a mixture of city set‑asides, a $575,000 Municipal Park Grant Commission award and private fundraising. Committee members emphasized the need to make sponsorship attractive and visible to encourage corporate donors while also providing lower‑cost participation for residents.

Department presentations and financing: Director Rudich told the committee that Phase 1 site work is progressing and that the playground procurement and construction strategy is divided into three parts. Director Vunich (design/construction briefing) described the recommended three‑part contract with Unlimited Play: 1) design and engineering (civil and construction documents), 2) purchase of play equipment (through Little Tikes Commercial), and 3) construction administration and build‑out with an identified contractor for site work.

The memorandum presented to the committee listed $185,500 for the design and engineering component. The equipment purchase price was described as approximately $740,000 with a 50% deposit requested to hold 2024 pricing; overall construction estimates (equipment excluded) were discussed in the department’s memo at roughly $1.2–$1.3 million, with total project funding the council previously set at about $2,000,000.

Fundraising brochure and donor recognition: Parks staff (Melanie Rivertoe/Riboteau) showed a draft brochure created with Unlimited Play that links to a landing page and provides sponsorship levels ranging from lower brackets (e.g., $100) up to large item sponsorships (e.g., $25,000 for major climbers). Committee members recommended more prominent photos of children, simpler lead copy and explicit recognition options. Suggestions included: - A donor recognition board listing sponsorship tiers and names; - Dedicated plaques/bricks/branded walk as part of a sponsorship package; and - Tying specific donors to specific pieces of equipment when donors buy an item.

The committee voted to let staff revise the brochure and return with defined recognition options and cost estimates for engraved bricks or donor walls at a follow‑up meeting.

Contract and timing decisions: Committee members discussed whether the city or the general contractor should purchase equipment. Staff advised that paying a 50% deposit now would hold the quoted 2024 pricing (staff estimated a roughly 2.5% price increase if delayed, about $19,000 on the equipment line). The committee approved a motion to proceed with preparing ordinances and contracts for the three components (design, equipment purchase and construction) to present to City Council; the motion passed after discussion about timing and price‑hold risks.

Discussion points and staff direction: Committee members pressed staff to: - Tighten brochure copy and add photos/video to the landing page to increase donor appeal; - Provide clear sponsorship packages that tie donors to equipment when chosen; - Form a small volunteer fundraising committee (recommended 5–10 members) and begin targeted outreach to local civic leaders and businesses; and - Return with precise quotes, a breakdown of fundraising recognition costs (including an example markup formula used historically), and a timeline showing equipment deposit and expected delivery relative to construction readiness.

The department said it will return with revised brochure materials, a proposed committee roster, and detailed cost estimates (including brick/engraving unit costs and recommended minimum recognition thresholds) for the July meeting.

Looking ahead: Staff told the committee that equipment purchase timing is time‑sensitive if the city wants to retain current pricing, and that construction ordinances will come to City Council in July for contract authorization. No final contract was signed at the June 17 meeting; the committee authorized staff to prepare the contracts and present them for council approval.