Dayton staff: Stevens Park bridge bids came in under estimate; work on park amenities to follow

Staff told the Parks Commission that bids for the L.C. Stevens Park North pedestrian bridge opened last week and came in “substantially under the engineer's estimate,” and that staff will check bid completeness before asking the council for contract approval.

A council representative (Commission member, Speaker 9) noted the council had approved going out to bid for the L.C. Stevens Park North pedestrian bridge and asked staff to present related details to the commission. Staff (Speaker 8) confirmed the bids were opened and that the objective is to bring a clean recommendation to council at its next meeting.

Commissioners and staff discussed how to prioritize subsequent park investments at L.C. Stevens. Several commissioners said that rather than acquiring new land, the city could use existing space at L.C. Stevens to incorporate multiple items that residents favored in the survey—piers, picnic shelters, playgrounds and athletic fields—so the park becomes a stronger community destination.

Why it matters: staff emphasized that raising visitation to L.C. Stevens is a key priority to improve the park’s perceived ratings and to capture survey respondents who have not yet visited. Staff said work on irrigation, equipment specification and bid documentation for other park elements will follow the bridge procurement process.

Next steps

Staff will complete bid review and bring a recommendation to council for contract award; commissioners requested follow‑up on timing, scope and estimated costs for park build‑out at L.C. Stevens. No formal action to award the bridge contract was taken by the Parks Commission at this meeting.