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Naples council backs swift removal of unsafe Cambier Park equipment and starts RFQ for replacement
Summary
After extensive public comment favoring a 'treehouse/nature' design, City Council directed staff to remove unsafe pieces at Cambier Park, preserve trees, keep fencing and shade, and issue an RFQ/RFP so a new playground can be selected and installed with community input and service/warranty requirements.
Naples City Council on Nov. 5 directed staff to remove irreparably unsafe elements of the closed Cambier Park playground, preserve existing trees and shade structures, and move quickly to procure a replacement through a qualifications‑based procurement process.
Staff reported the playground is rotting internally and unsafe; photos and inspections documented failing joists and nails pulling out. Community members — including parents and playground advocates — urged preserving the playground’s natural, treehouse character. Monique Barnhart described a FlashVote panel of roughly 675 residents that yielded 359 responses favoring a treehouse/nature theme.
“Those pictures were illustrative in nature,” staff said, explaining the FlashVote visuals were used to gauge resident preferences. Advocate Ellen Getz and multiple parents recommended the city consider Play by Design or similar firms experienced in rebuilding classic community playgrounds. Residents asked for warranties, quick service response times and strong installation standards.
Council members agreed on immediate steps: remove unsafe components, salvage and re‑mulch safe play areas, maintain the fenced footprint, protect naming bricks and certain trees, and include community representatives (e.g., a qualified community member) in the RFQ/RFP evaluation process where legally permissible. Staff said $2 million is budgeted in the current fiscal year for replacement and aimed to issue an RFQ in January 2026 with an award target in March or April depending on procurement and review timelines.
The city also asked staff to develop warranty and performance criteria (including installer qualifications and timeline for repairs) and to return with a clear procurement schedule so the most used downtown playground can be replaced with a design that reflects resident priorities.
Council emphasized balancing historic character and modern safety and accessibility standards and directed staff to prioritize removal of hazardous equipment so the site can be made usable quickly while the procurement proceeds.
