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Parks commission approves RFP to design inclusive playground at Windjammer Park
Summary
The Oak Harbor Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission voted to submit a request for proposals to design a regional inclusive playground at Windjammer Park, advancing plans and budgeting toward a roughly $1 million project with combined grant, city and community funding.
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission voted unanimously March 10 to submit a request for proposals to design an inclusive playground at Windjammer Park.
The commission’s approval authorizes staff to proceed with a design RFP and follow up permitting and construction documents so the city can apply for future state funding rounds. "The estimates that we got reaching out for this are about 20 to 50,000," Parks and Recreation Director Brian said when describing the professional services budget for design and permitting. "Funding does exist within the Windjammer Park improvement funds, which have already been allocated for those purposes."
Why it matters: the project is the city’s primary proposal to create a fully accessible playground designed for users of all ages and abilities. City staff previously applied to the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) for a $700,000 Land and Water Conservation Fund grant; the concept also relies on matching city funds and community fundraising. Brian told the commission the full project estimate is about $1,000,000 and that staff expects to seek a mix of grant, city and community contributions.
Details: staff said the playground would be a poured-in-place surface covering roughly 15,000 square feet, fenced for safety and designed with more horizontal play features to increase accessibility. The department described a funding plan that includes the previous RCO request for $700,000, an existing Windjammer Park improvement match in the city budget, and a community fundraising goal of about $100,000. The design RFP scope is expected to cost $20,000–$50,000, with staff noting those professional-service estimates sometimes run higher and that they will consider the upper range when preparing the RFP.
Commissioners emphasized site planning and aesthetics. Brian said Windjammer’s west side met the commission’s criteria for parking, accessibility and connectivity, but cautioned that materials and color palette should match existing park features. He recommended the commission appoint a member to work with staff on the RFP and the council workshop presentation scheduled for April 22.
What the commission decided: Tom Jones moved and a commissioner seconded a motion to approve submitting the RFP for design; the motion passed by unanimous voice vote.
Next steps: staff will finalize the RFP and present the commission’s recommendation at the April 22 city council workshop. The RFP will be circulated for consultant proposals and returned to the commission and council for review and selection.
