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Commission advances planning for inclusive Windjammer playground; seagull debris cited as site concern
Summary
Oak Harbor staff presented an RFP draft for an inclusive regional playground at Windjammer Park. The commission discussed site suitability, grant timing and maintenance concerns from seagull shells; the project remains in planning pending grant cycles and council review.
Oak Harbor’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission reviewed a draft request for qualifications on June 9 for an inclusive regional playground planned for Windjammer Park and asked staff to bring the RFP to a council workshop for final review before posting.
The project has been developed by the Parks and Playgrounds subcommittee and scored well with the Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) grant reviewers; staff said the state asked the city to be more “shovel ready” with permits and plans before receiving construction funds. The city intends to use Windjammer permit funds as part of a local match while pursuing the next RCO funding cycle.
Scope and site: staff described a 10,000–15,000 square‑foot target footprint and said the inclusive playground would be an addition to — not a replacement of — the existing Windjammer playground, planned for the west side of the park near Kitchen B and C. The RFP calls for site analysis (including shoreline permitting), needs assessment with families of children with special needs, conceptual plans and renderings to support fundraising, a capital cost estimate and construction‑ready documents so the project is shovel ready when grant funding becomes available.
Maintenance and constructability concerns were a recurring point. Commissioner Eric Dipsinski noted that seagull shells have damaged hard surfaces in other Windjammer locations and warned of higher maintenance costs; he said surfaces must be durable and safe. “Sharp shells, no bueno,” Dipsinski said, urging attention to surfacing type and replacement strategies. Staff said playground providers describe modular surfacing and repair methods, and the RFP asks firms to address surfacing durability and maintainability near the shoreline.
Next steps: the commission did not adopt the RFP at the June 9 meeting but signaled support for the draft and asked staff to schedule a council workshop (likely late summer or early fall) so council can review funding and timing before the city issues the solicitation. The commission’s parks and playgrounds subcommittee will continue consultations with providers and potential partners, including the Navy and State Parks.
