Commissioners award $1.28 million contract for Gage Park Playland 'bridal trail' with accessibility questions

The Shawnee County Board of County Commissioners voted Jan. 23 to award a base bid to RCI Adventure Products for construction of the Playland section known in county materials as the Bridal Trail at Gage Park, with a base bid value discussed in the meeting as $1,280,000 and to be paid from Gage Park Improvement Authority funds.

Why it matters: the project is a major capital investment in county park infrastructure and will add a large aerial play feature that spans much of Playland; commissioners and staff discussed practical trade‑offs including tree removal, warranty and which elements of the play area will meet accessibility standards.

Tim Laurent of the Parks and Recreation Department described the package as “phase 2” of Playland improvements and reviewed the pieces already ordered — a zip line, a climbing structure called the crab trap and three base wing sets — and said the awarded piece will travel the length of Playland.

Laurent said the county solicited bids and received three responses; the lowest bidder did not include a layout requested in the RFP, so staff recommended awarding the contract to RCI based on responsiveness and completeness of the proposal. He also noted the base bid includes a five‑year limited warranty and manufacturer inspections will be performed annually.

Commissioners asked about tree removal and accessibility. Laurent said some trees already have been removed and staff attempted to minimize impacts; he acknowledged that portions of the new aerial structure will not be accessible at 15 feet in the air and that meeting full accessibility at that height would more than double project costs. He said the county will install a “large, completely accessible piece” at the beginning of the area and a smaller toddler area, and that all other pieces ordered separately will meet accessibility standards.

Regarding schedule, Laurent said equipment already ordered will arrive in February and staff hopes to install those pieces by mid‑March, with the larger Bridal Trail work starting later in the summer and completed in 2025. He said most of the structure will be manufactured offsite and assembled in large sections on site; footings for towers will require additional on‑site work and will be the subject of a subsequent project request.

The board approved the award by roll call; the motion passed 3-0. Commissioner Kevin Cook moved approval and Commissioner Aaron Mayes seconded.

The award will require contract execution, final layout coordination with existing Playland equipment, footing installation and the county’s standard warranty and inspection schedule.