Council awards design contract for Castle Park playground; council seeks community-build option

The Folsom City Council on Tuesday voted to authorize the city manager to execute a design consulting agreement with Leathers and Associates for the Kids Play Park renovation (Resolution No. 11389).

Council members and staff said they want the replacement park to reflect the original Castle Park character, be more durable and accessible than the 1996 structure and, where possible, use community volunteers to reduce cost and speed construction.

The council’s action follows a staff request to approve a design-only contract after a formal RFP process that returned four proposals. Brad Nelson, park planning manager, said Leathers and Associates — the original builder of the playground about 30 years ago — ranked highest in the staff evaluation and proposed an approach that includes community engagement and an option for a community-build model.

Nelson told council the overall project budget approved in the FY24–25 budget is $800,000; an original request had been $1,100,000 to be spent over two years, with a remaining $300,000 expected from a newly formed 501(c)(3) fundraiser, Kids Play for Generations Inc. Nelson said staff aims to begin construction in November and open the renovated park in spring 2026 if scheduling holds.

Council and public speakers pressed staff on long-term maintenance, material longevity and accessibility. Several speakers and council members asked that materials be evaluated for durability; Nelson and others said Leathers has proposed recycled-plastic (Trex-like) materials and that project bidding would allow staff to compare suppliers and costs. Loretta Headinger, a resident, asked the council to prioritize materials and design that reduce long-term maintenance costs.

Council members debated two procurement paths: (1) proceed with design-only (the current RFP) and then bid construction; or (2) reissue an RFP for design-build so firms would compete on a design+construct basis. City Attorney advised both are lawful; the staff report had solicited design proposals only. Several council members urged keeping the contract as design first but adding clear direction: start public workshops in June, pursue community-build where feasible, and keep the project within the approved $800,000 budget.

Council member discussion also covered timeline and fundraising: Nelson said two park planners recently joined the division and a design kickoff could shave about six months off the schedule. Councilmember comments recorded an expectation that staff convene a public design kickoff in June and coordinate with the nonprofit fundraising group.

The council motion to authorize the city manager to execute the design consulting agreement with Leathers and Associates carried on a unanimous roll-call vote (Leary, Raffel, Rorvaugh, Kozlowski, Aquino). Councilmembers added direction that staff begin public outreach immediately and work with the nonprofit partner on fundraising and volunteer coordination.

The vote authorizes design consulting services only; any construction contract or change order would require separate procurement or council action as required by city procurement rules. Staff said if the council later directs a community-build path, Leathers indicated they could support that model, but construction remains subject to typical procurement rules and bidding unless the council directs otherwise.

Clarifying details: the FY24–25 budget included $800,000 for construction; Leathers’ selection follows a four-proposal RFP; Kids Play for Generations Inc. is formed as a 501(c)(3) to help raise about $300,000 to complete the originally requested $1.1 million scope; staff estimate a potential November construction start and spring 2026 opening if the community-build route and schedule proceed as discussed.

Council asked staff to return with firm construction-cost estimates at design milestones and to use a public charrette-style kickoff that presents constraints (budget, accessibility, maintenance) before showing final renderings.