Salina seeks inclusive 8,000‑sq‑ft playground at Indian Rock Park, asks public for input

Jeff Hammond, director of parks and recreation for the city of Salina, presented a proposal to develop an inclusive playground and supporting accessibility upgrades in the northwest corner of Indian Rock Park near Gypsum and Indiana avenues.

The proposed project centers on an approximately 8,000-square-foot destination playground with accessible pathways, a shelter house, an accessible restroom, expanded parking and bike racks. Hammond said the city is pursuing grant funding through LiveWell Saline County and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas and is also considering a donor contribution and the potential sale of nearby Glenifer Hill Park land to provide additional funds.

"Our vision is a playground where everyone can participate and enjoy the natural beauty of Indian Rock Park," Hammond said, describing a play area designed to serve children with physical, emotional and sensory disabilities as well as able-bodied users. He said staff envisions converting two existing crushed‑lime trail segments to concrete, adding lighting, and ensuring accessible connections between parking, restrooms, the shelter and playground.

Hammond described the preferred play surface as a poured‑in‑place rubber surface — a rubber‑pellet product troweled in place — saying it is the most accessible option, can be matched to sidewalk elevations, and typically lasts 15–20 years though it is the most expensive surfacing choice. He said playground manufacturers will submit designs to fit the city’s 8,000‑square‑foot footprint based on specifications in the city’s RFP.

Board members asked detailed questions about grades on existing trails, parking and van‑accessible spaces. Hammond said engineers would design converted walkways to meet or exceed applicable slope requirements. Board members urged the city to provide more than two van‑accessible parking stalls and raised concerns that vans’ ramp spaces are sometimes blocked by vehicles that do not need the ramp; Hammond said planners would look for opportunities to add more ADA/van‑accessible spaces while ensuring compliance with city code.

Hammond said the project will proceed in phases tied to funding. Staff expects to complete a conceptual architectural design by the end of the year, and he said the largest share of playground funding is likely to be available in 2027. The northwest site plan shown to the board included an additional parking area, a new shelter colored in the conceptual drawing, an accessible restroom, and accessible paths connecting to the existing concrete drive and north trail.

Hammond asked the board for feedback and said staff will also solicit input from local accessibility organizations (OCCK and CAPS were mentioned) and day‑care operators. He invited written comments via post‑it notes gathered at the meeting or email to the community relations division. Brett Lamer, deputy parks and recreation director, and Angelica Carrillo, the city’s grant coordinator, were introduced as staff who will work on the project.

Next steps: staff will finalize the conceptual design, include accessibility features and lighting in engineering plans, issue an RFP to playground manufacturers with the city’s accessibility specifications, and continue outreach to disability‑service organizations and potential donors. Funding will determine phasing and construction timing.