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Council OKs $99,165 playground purchase; approves zoo fee increase after public hearing
Summary
The Idaho Falls City Council approved purchase and installation of two playgrounds and raised the zoo's base admission fee following a public hearing and council discussion about resident discounts and visitation patterns.
The Idaho Falls City Council voted to buy and install new playground equipment at Willowbrook Park and Terry’s Park and to raise the zoo’s base non‑resident admission fee.
Parks and Recreation Director PJ Holm told the council the department solicited proposals and selected Big T Recreation of Draper, Utah. “Big T Recreation will build and install the playground...and the total cost for both playgrounds and installation is $99,165,” Holm said. The council approved the purchase by voice vote.
The council also opened and closed a public hearing on proposed fee increases for Parks and Recreation, focused on the Idaho Falls Zoo. Holm explained the department’s approach: rather than maintaining separate posted resident and non‑resident admission prices, the city will set a single base price of $12 for general admission and give verified city residents a $3 discount via a new recreation discount card. “We had over 70,000 visitors to the Idaho Falls Zoo last year,” Holm said, and about 46% of visitors came from outside the local ZIP codes in past analyses. Under the change, verified residents will pay $9 using the discount card; non‑residents will pay $12.
Councilors asked about replacement schedules for playground equipment and about lifecycle and maintenance; Holm said Idaho Falls maintains 26 playgrounds and a full turnover at the current replacement rate would be roughly 13 years, though individual components are replaced as needed and full equipment typically has a useful life around 20 years. Councilor discussion also noted accessibility and adding equipment that draws older kids and seniors.
The motions passed: purchase and installation by Big T Recreation for $99,165; and raising the base zoo fee from $10 to $12 with the resident discount program. Councilors recorded yes votes in favor and the mayor declared both motions carried.
The playground purchases and the fee change take effect after the city completes contract execution and the resident discount card rollout (Holm said cards would be available starting mid‑April).
