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West Miami plans path widening and surface upgrades at Cooper Park after equipment installation issues
Summary
City staff reported the first phase of Cooper Park exercise equipment has been installed but some pieces need repair; the board discussed a rubberized surface, tree plantings and widening the walking path.
City of West Miami staff updated the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board on a multi-phase improvement at Cooper Park, including repairs to recently installed exercise equipment, a planned rubberized surface for accessibility and a walking-path widening solicitation.
Jenny Hall, grants manager, said Phase 1 of the Cooper Park exercise equipment installation is complete and "8 pieces as approved in our previous meetings" have been installed and are in use. Hall and other staff reported safety issues with some pieces: gaps in a climber and a loose arm on one unit. Hall said the installer will return to repair damaged or improperly fitted pieces.
While repairs are scheduled, staff said they temporarily piled mulch and moved rocks to reduce immediate hazards. Hall said Phase 2 will remove mulch and install a port-in-place rubberized surface that will connect to the existing path and improve accessibility; Phase 3 calls for planting four oak trees to provide shade for the exercise area.
Board members discussed signage and user expectations. Some members asked whether age limits or signage (for example, recommending use by older teens and adults or "parental guidance") should be posted to reduce conflicts between children and adults using the equipment. Hall said staff will research typical signage and bring recommendations back to the board.
The board also discussed widening the Cooper Park walking path; staff said the planned width is 8 feet and that the project will go out for solicitation to obtain bidders.
Next steps: staff will coordinate return visits by the equipment installers to repair items, proceed with solicitations for the rubberized surface and walking-path widening, and present signage and age-limit recommendations at a future meeting.
