Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks Recreation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission approves $1.54 million amendment for Gage Park Playland SkyTrail and ADA additions
Summary
The commission approved a $255,500 amendment to the RCI Adventure Products contract, bringing the final price for Gage Park Playland SkyTrail and ground‑level ADA features to $1,535,500. Staff said portions of the SkyTrail will be ADA‑accessible at ground level; other alpine components will remain non‑accessible.
The Shawnee County Commission on April 3 approved an amendment to a contract with RCI Adventure Products to add ADA‑accessible features and small climber elements to the Playland SkyTrail at Gage Park, bringing the final contract price to $1,535,500.
Tim Laurent, director of the Parks and Recreation Department, reviewed the design changes and said the project includes nine ground‑level play pods that will be accessible and a SkyTrail structure that connects through the Playland. Laurent said the SkyTrail will not be fully ADA‑accessible at every elevated component but that entry ramps, accessible circulation areas and accessible surfacing will allow people using wheelchairs to access a portion of the feature.
The amendment increases the overall contract by $255,500; Laurent said the county will proceed with engineering and footing work if the commission approved the change and that the department expects to complete the installation before the end of the year if schedules hold.
Commissioners and other participants asked about safety and warranties. A commenter identified as Nathan Maze asked whether roller‑type slides had been removed from park equipment elsewhere because of pinching hazards; Laurent said modern roller slides are redesigned to meet current safety standards and that the manufacturer warranties and annual inspections would apply. Laurent said the warranty period offered was five years and that the county will perform annual inspections as part of ongoing maintenance.
Laurent also said the SkyTrail is a custom structure and the county is coordinating with multiple manufacturers to add play features such as a roller slide and additional elements on the towers. He noted the SkyTrail’s bottom clearance would be about 11 feet in places and that surfacing and pathways were designed to integrate with existing trees and site circulation.
The motion to approve the contract amendment passed 3‑0.
