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Committee endorses playground accessibility audit and allocates $15,000 for community‑park restroom improvements
Summary
Staff presented an audit of city playgrounds identifying accessibility upgrades; the committee approved reallocating $15,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds toward a baby‑changing table and accessibility improvements at Community Park.
Parks staff presented an audit of Wildwood’s playground facilities that assessed surfacing, pathways, communication boards, swings and other accessibility features. After discussion, the Parks and Recreation Committee accepted the findings and approved reallocating $15,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds toward accessibility improvements at Community Park, with a focus on restroom baby‑changing facilities.
Director Joe Vonich summarized the audit, which identified surfacing upgrades as the most expensive accessibility item. The audit, prepared with input from Unlimited Play, recommended phased upgrades across several park locations. Committee members emphasized baby‑changing tables and accessible restroom fixtures as near‑term priorities; staff estimated unit costs for installing changing tables and related restroom work generally run in the $5,000–$10,000 range per location, with community park specifically chosen by the office of community development for the initial $15,000 allocation.
Vonich and staff said full resurfacing of multiple playgrounds would approach near seven figures and must be phased over multiple budget years. The committee asked staff to include the audit results in budget planning and to prioritize a limited set of accessibility items in the coming fiscal cycle. The committee voted to direct staff to begin work on the Community Park restroom improvements using the $15,000 CDBG allocation and return with a specific scope and schedule.
Staff also noted recurring operating costs, such as purchase and replacement of treated mulch and annual maintenance, and recommended continuing the multi‑year approach so the city can pursue additional grant funds or donations for larger surfacing projects.
This decision directs staff to begin procurement and implementation planning for restroom accessibility upgrades at Community Park and to integrate the playground audit findings into the capital budgeting process.
