Parks staff presented alternatives to replace a repeatedly vandalized fabric shade structure at DoubleTree Ranch and asked the Community Development Corporation for guidance on a recommended option to take forward to council.

Brian Norton, assistant director of parks, said the existing fabric shade sagged low and had been vandalized multiple times. He said staff replaced the fabric in 2023 at a cost “around $12,000” and have since removed the fabric because it was torn again. Norton presented three options: a single engineered 4-post metal shade (structural warranty 20 years, fabric warranty 10 years) with a total cost of $62,000 including demolition and turf repair; four 20x20 cantilever shades similar to splash-pad units with 20‑year structural and fabric warranties at an estimated $64,007.95; and a planting option of three burr oaks (6-inch caliper) at $17,006.22 including demo, turf repair and irrigation.

Board members questioned maintenance and safety. One member asked whether vendors would retrofit the existing posts rather than replace them; Norton reported vendors generally would not guarantee or warranty retrofits and that one vendor quoted $41,000 with no warranty for a retrofit. Staff and board members discussed trade-offs: engineered shade structures offer immediate broad coverage but higher cost and maintenance; trees cost less, fit park character, and entail lower ongoing structural maintenance but take years to mature and shade fully.

Several board members expressed preference for a natural approach and for obtaining full itemized costs for complete removal of the existing posts, turf replacement, and a multi-tree layout (e.g., six trees) to match long-term character and maintenance budgets. The board asked staff to return with more detailed demolition/seeding/planting estimates and to bring refined cost options back to the CDC before a recommendation is forwarded to council.

Staff noted safety standards for playground-adjacent structures and advised against non‑engineered retrofits that would lack warranty or engineer seals.