Parks staff to fast‑track playground replacements; RFQ for design and cooperative purchasing planned

At the Jan. 14 meeting the Birmingham Parks and Recreation Board reviewed an updated capital improvement schedule and a plan to fast‑track playground replacements at several neighborhood parks.

Staff said they will finalize a request for qualifications for playground design and equipment suppliers and use cooperative purchasing agreements to accelerate procurement. "We're finalizing an RFQ to go out for playground design here in the very near future," said a staff presenter; staff added the city intends to purchase equipment through a cooperative agreement and will ask design vendors to provide both design and equipment options and to participate in neighborhood meetings.

Board members emphasized using the city’s master plan and a site matrix (referenced on page 99 of the plan) to match park type, demographics and condition with appropriate amenities. Members also urged attention to accessibility and durable surfacing: staff said accessible components should include hard surfacing under accessible equipment and at least one accessible swing, and that surfacing choices can affect maintenance costs and long‑term value.

Staff described grouping several playground projects into a multi‑year procurement to reduce cost and speed delivery. The board requested that staff avoid repeatedly using the same default design across neighborhoods and to bring neighborhood input to bear during selection so each site suits local needs.

Next steps: issue the RFQ, review respondents with the board, hold neighborhood design meetings, and proceed to cooperative procurement and installation per the capital schedule.