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Community services reports 30% plans, cost estimates for Palmer and Nicholas parks; dog park relocation proposed
Summary
Community Services Director Doug Storey presented 30% construction design plans and initial cost estimates for Palmer Park and a two‑phase Nicholas Park project, including a proposed relocation of Nicholas dog park to Palmer Park and a projected funding gap.
Community Services Director Doug Storey told the Parks and Recreation Committee the city has received 30% construction design documents for Palmer Park and Nicholas Park and has begun distributing them to utilities and internal departments for review.
The 30% plans start utility coordination and identify initial cost estimates. “Currently in our project, we have just over $3,900,000 total for this project,” Storey said. He described three separate cost estimates prepared to allow a phased build: Palmer Park, Nicholas Park phase 1 and Nicholas Park phase 2. The 30% cost ranges in the staff report were: Palmer Park roughly $3.5 million to $4.2 million; Nicholas Park phase 1 roughly $4.8 million to $6.6 million; and Nicholas Park phase 2 roughly $4.2 million to $5.0 million.
Storey said contingency levels in the 30% estimate are high at about 15 percent and that some line items reflect market instability for certain materials. He described the next steps as an internal 6–8 week review by building, public works, planning, fire and public safety, followed by 60% and 90% design phases and, ultimately, bid documents.
The plan also proposes relocating the existing dog park at Nicholas Park to Palmer Park and refocusing Nicholas Park toward larger community uses: additional lighted fields, practice areas and amenities intended to draw citywide users. Staff described Palmer Park as a neighborhood park and Nicholas Park as a community-scale park with a wider draw.
Members discussed public outreach results from pop-up events and the parks master plan surveys. Staff said pop-ups sometimes over-represent small, vocal groups; but citywide survey and a GAPS analysis used for the parks master plan show pickleball as a recurring amenity deficit across the system, which is shaping how staff prioritize amenities. Staff said they will return to council with funding options and partnership opportunities to close the expected funding gap.
Committee members moved to accept the staff report; the motion was seconded and approved.
