Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks Recreation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Cranston plans Doric Avenue splash pad; will remove one basketball court, use ARPA funds
Summary
City staff described plans to install a non-recirculating splash pad at Doric Avenue that will replace one basketball court, with an estimated project cost of $250,000–$290,000 paid in part from ARPA funds. Officials said a vendor solicitation is pending and the target opening is mid-July.
Cranston city officials described plans May 15 to install a splash pad at Doric Avenue that will replace one of the park’s basketball courts and be paid largely from city recreation funds allocated from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
The Parks and Recreation director told the council the project is expected to cost between $250,000 and $290,000 and that the city has identified roughly $943,000 in ARPA recreation funds that can be used for the build. The director said the splash-pad play components (the “apparatuses”) have already been ordered at a cost of $117,000 and that equipment delivery is currently scheduled for about July 10–13, with a target opening in mid-July if a vendor can be selected and construction proceeds on schedule.
City staff and public works said the Doric site is favorable for the splash pad because restrooms, water service and drainage are nearby, reducing preparatory work. Unlike some facilities that recirculate water, this splash pad will use fresh water on demand, which city staff said reduces filtration and chemical maintenance. Staff estimated water and electricity costs would be "minimal," comparable to an irrigation system.
The director described the procurement plan: staff will finalize plans and specifications, submit a bid waiver and solicit bids from four to five vendors (including contractors the city has identified who have done similar work in the state). Bidders will be asked to return proposals within roughly seven days; staff said the award could be made before the end of the month. The bid documents will include a completion requirement—staff said they expect to ask for a 30- to 45-day construction window and that concrete work will be staged and “wet cured” to avoid shrinkage cracking.
Council members asked about impacts on basketball play in the neighborhood. The director said work is already planned to renovate nearby courts at Du Temple, Princeton Stadium and Parkview, and that those upgrades, along with other capital-improvement work, should leave adequate court access in the area. The director also said there is no plan, at this time, for a parking-lot expansion; staff will monitor use and return to the council if parking becomes a problem.
On operations, staff said the splash pad will use sensors and timed actuators so fixtures run only when activated; some features will run for set intervals when triggered by a user. The director said the city will likely station one staff member to monitor restrooms and basic cleaning but that continuous lifeguard-style staffing is not planned. Staff also said operating hours and actuator timers will be set to prevent overnight use.
No formal vote or contractual action was taken at the meeting; council members asked questions and city staff described next steps for procurement, delivery and construction.
