Encinitas commission approves playground replacement designs for Glen, Orpheus and Wiro parks

The Encinitas Parks and Recreation Commission on April 15 approved concept designs to replace playground equipment at Glen Park, Orpheus Park and Wiro Park, and to add outdoor fitness equipment at Glen and Orpheus.

The vote followed a presentation by Jeremy Franzini, a landscape architect with Michael Baker International, and staff comments that Orpheus is covered by a state grant while Glen would be paid from the city's park improvement fund or general fund. The commission added one change before approving the designs: replacing one of two standard swings at Wiro Park with a toddler (bucket) swing.

The designs presented to the commission separate play areas by age where site space permits. Franzini said Glen Park's concept separates a 2-to-5 play area and a 5-to-12 play area, adds a three-bay swing set, and replaces worn rubber surfacing with engineered wood fiber ("engineered mulch") to meet ADA access and fall-attenuation requirements. He described an exercise area proposed for Glen that would repurpose the horseshoe pit and include a large "fitness rack" for body-weight exercises and some freestanding equipment, with poured rubber surfacing in the fitness area for accessibility and maintenance reasons.

Orpheus Park's concept keeps the existing footprint while replacing play equipment and a shade shelter. Franzini said the new shelter would be about 13 feet high (compared with roughly 12 feet today) and support four precast picnic tables with ADA accessibility. He noted the city measured existing equipment height at about 11 feet and provided specific proposed heights for the new structures and swings to address neighborhood concerns about views.

Wiro Park, a smaller, tree-canopied site, will get a single play structure sized to the site and two swings. Franzini said the smaller footprint limited options: "If we try to keep the 4 swings that are out there today, that would probably take up the majority of the space in that playground." He explained modern safety standards and the required safety zones make four-bay swing sets difficult to fit in the existing footprint.

Residents spoke during public comment. Tom Candelaria, who said he and 18 neighboring homes pay for Wiro Park maintenance, urged a larger play structure and additional toddler-friendly swings, calling the proposed Wiro structure "grossly undervalued." Lisa Johnson, a nearby parent, told commissioners she supported the changes made after earlier outreach and asked whether one swing could be a toddler seat so very young children could be accommodated.

Parks operations staff and the consultant responded to questions about maintenance and surfacing. Franzini said engineered wood fiber typically requires at least annual topping to maintain proper depth and accessibility, while poured rubber costs more up front but requires less frequent maintenance. Manager David Norgard confirmed Orpheus is grant-funded and that Glen will use local funds if no grant is available; he said the city must advance design to meet the grant's performance period.

After questions and public comment, Chair Ritter moved to approve the recommended action: receive the presentation and approve the playground replacement concepts for Glen Park, Orpheus Park and Wiro Park. Vice Chair (second) and commissioners debated a small change to Wiro swings; staff agreed to modify the Wiro swing set to include one toddler (2-to-5) compatible seat and one 5-to-12 seat. The motion, as amended, passed.

Next steps outlined by the consultant and staff: finalize design to construction-document level, bid the work, and aim for construction beginning in 2026 (the consultant said "hopefully, spring 2026"). Orpheus must meet grant performance requirements before certain procurement activities proceed. Removed equipment and sand will be disposed of by contractors; staff said sand typically cannot be repurposed for concrete and will be hauled away.

Commissioners and staff thanked the presenters and the public for comments. The commission directed staff to proceed with construction documents, with the approved concept plans and the Wiro swing swap.