Town council approves four public sculptures for parks, library and trail

The Moraga Town Council voted unanimously May 14 to approve four public sculptures by artist Buddy Broadwind for installation at West Commons Park, the Moraga Library and a town-owned site along the Lafayette-Moraga Regional Trail.

Mackenzie Bridal, Moraga’s Parks and Recreation Director, presented images and site plans for the works—listed in staff materials as Vortex (a wind-driven sculpture), Going Mobile No. 1 and Going Mobile No. 2 (two mobile-style pieces), and a pair of rebar sculptures planned at the library entrance. Bridal told the council the Art & Public Spaces Commission recommended the pieces and that each installation will require footings or small base pedestals prepared by public works.

Bridal said the installations are on loan and that most proposed loans are for multi-year terms; she noted in the application the pieces are scheduled for five-plus-year durations on loan. She said staff will fund installation supplies and staff time from an art-and-public-spaces budget line and that the town will absorb a modest installation cost (the presentation cited approximately $500 per piece in staff/supply costs for the current cycle).

Council members asked about safety and placement along roadways; Bridal said the public-works review seeks to avoid traffic distractions and that sites were chosen to place sculptures away from road corridors where appropriate. Councilmember Brian Dolan asked whether liability or safety risks had been identified; Bridal said staff and the commission review siting for safety and that no unusual liability concerns were anticipated for these pieces.

Council praised the art program and approved the consent-agenda motion to include the sculpture items. Staff will schedule installation work and return to council if any loan terms or site conditions require further approval.