Arkansas City OKs Wilson Park splash pad and moves forward on CDBG playground grant

Arkansas City commissioners on a voice vote authorized city staff to accept a Powerplay LLC quote to install a new community splash pad at Wilson Park and approved a separate move to pursue a federal-state community development block grant for playground equipment.

City staff told the commission the Powerplay quote is $306,500, supplemented by roughly $20,000 in in-kind public-works and environmental services for a total project cost not to exceed $326,500. City staff estimated recurring annual operating costs at about $12,600 — “about $5,000 in maintenance and then about $7,600 in water,” the city manager said during the presentation. The pad will be a site-built facility with plumbing and removable play features and is non-recirculating, staff said.

The commission discussed site logistics, including a planned road closure on Birch Street adjacent to the park and the likely seasonal schedule (roughly the school end through late summer). Staff said the vendor could install the unit quickly once site work is complete, with an installation timeline of roughly a month after contractor mobilization.

In the same meeting, the commission approved certifying legal authority to apply for the Kansas Small Cities Community Development Block Grant program for parks and facilities. Staff and a Vanson Financial representative said the revised application removes the splash pad (which city funds will cover) and requests $628,728 toward an estimated $785,910 playground project, leaving a local match of $157,182 from previously budgeted city funds and other city sources. A consultant noted the revised, narrower request improves the city’s competitiveness after two earlier unsuccessful applications that included both splash pad and playground elements.

Commissioners also passed a companion assurance resolution required by the Kansas Department of Commerce that the city will provide ongoing operation and maintenance funding for any park improvements funded with CDBG money, a standard condition of the program intended to prevent projects from falling into disrepair.

Resident feedback during public comment was largely supportive of the park work. One resident, identified as Elton, said he was “shocked you guys are getting that done for $300,000” and expressed enthusiasm that the splash pad will be something for local children to enjoy. City staff displayed the project site plan and a financial summary in response to questions.

Votes at a glance - Resolution authorizing Powerplay LLC quote and project funding (Wilson Park splash pad): approved by voice vote; project cost not to exceed $326,500; estimated annual O&M ≈ $12,600. - Resolution certifying authority to apply for Kansas Small Cities CDBG (playground equipment): approved by voice vote; total project cost $785,910; grant request $628,728; local match $157,182. - Resolution assuring Kansas Department of Commerce of operation and maintenance funding for CDBG-financed improvements: approved by voice vote.

What’s next City staff said bids for a separate fire-station project are due Nov. 10 and that the vendor schedule for the splash pad could allow it to be in service by the start of next summer’s season if site work begins in March. The public hearing on the grant application was noted as scheduled for Oct. 27 at noon.