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Dayton Parks Commission weighs permanent bounce pad for LC Stevens Park; staff to collect RFP, maintenance and insurance details
Summary
The commission heard vendor estimates of $12,000–$18,000 for a permanent bounce pad’s materials and installation, with commissioners warning that site preparation and sand could push total costs toward $30,000; staff will research maintenance, insurance and RFP options and return with details.
Dayton Parks Commission members on Sept. 3 discussed a proposal to install a permanent bounce pad — a large, inflatable “jumping pillow” — at LC Stevens Park, with staff and commissioners weighing costs, safety and maintenance needs before advancing the idea.
Commissioner (unnamed, Speaker 3), who presented vendor pricing and examples from Iceland, said the high-end vendor estimate was about “18,000 just for the installation and materials,” and the lower-end figure was roughly $12,000. He cautioned the commission that additional site costs — excavation, sand perimeter or poured-in-place rubber surfacing, and blower equipment — would add to that price, with one commissioner noting those add-ons could bring a $18,000 installation “closer to 30” once work and ancillary costs were added.
Several commissioners raised safety and operational questions. Commissioner (unnamed, Speaker 4) asked, “how do you having something like this in a public park, what is the liability for the city and trying to keep kids the amount of kids on it and off for safety reasons?” The commission discussed controls used elsewhere: age recommendations, posted rules, periodic monitoring or gated enclosures with cameras, and daily inflation schedules that would allow units to be deflated and winterized.
Staff (unnamed, Speaker 6) confirmed the purchase price would include the blower and that a power source would be required on site. Commissioners also flagged ongoing maintenance: annual sand replacement or surfacing upkeep, cover options for winter storage, and insurance implications. The group asked staff to check the city’s insurance coverage and to gather comparative proposals and RFP language from vendors and communities that have installed similar fixtures.
The panel did not vote on the proposal. Next steps: staff will return with an RFP framework, detailed cost breakdowns that include site prep and surfacing options, daily operation and winter storage plans, and any insurance or liability requirements the city’s insurer recommends.
