Carlisle County Fiscal Court accepts Miracle proposal for new inclusive playground

The Carlisle County Fiscal Court voted to accept Miracle’s proposal to install a new inclusive playground after reviewing multiple vendor bids and design options. The court’s motion to accept Miracle’s proposal was seconded and carried by voice vote.

The project approved by the fiscal court calls for an approximately 6,000‑square‑foot play area (roughly 60 by 100 feet) with separate zones for younger and older children, sensory play elements, anti‑wrap swings and a concrete perimeter curb. Vendor and committee discussion said the design includes tactile and auditory sensory panels intended to make the playground more usable for children on the autism spectrum and other sensory‑sensitive users. "It included sensory, which specifically was requested, separation of age categories, little older kids, younger kids, spinner, swings," Josh Wagner said while describing the Miracle submission.

Court members and vendor representatives discussed surfacing options and grant timing. County staff and vendors told the court there is a state matching grant for crumb rubber surfacing that can be applied for beginning Feb. 1; if the county seeks that grant, rubber surfacing would likely be installed in the spring, which vendors recommended to ensure temperatures are consistently warm enough for the surfacing to adhere. A vendor representative described the typical rubber cost range cited in the meeting as about $18–$20 per square foot and recommended planning a May install date if the county applies for the state surfacing grant.

The bid process produced multiple vendors and bid types. The court declared bids closed, reviewed tabulations and asked a small committee to examine entries and return a recommendation; the committee recommended Miracle, noting the vendor’s design met the committee’s requested elements and that Miracle’s pricing came in lower than at least one alternative by roughly $10,000 as presented. A court motion to accept Miracle’s proposal passed by voice vote; the court chair announced the motion carried.

Vendors also discussed optional add‑ons and discounts: the vendor outlined a cash‑in‑advance equipment discount of about $2,279 if the county paid equipment and freight up front, and noted optional shade structures, bench placement and other customizations that the committee can add. The vendor cautioned that the county could remove rubber surfacing from the scope if it chose not to apply for the state rubber grant, but that would change cost and safety tradeoffs.

The next steps recorded in the meeting record: the purchasing committee will finalize minor design changes, verify bid bonds or cashier’s checks as required, and return with a recommendation and contract details for the court to execute. The transcript records the court’s motion to accept the Miracle proposal and its unanimous voice approval; the committee will proceed to finalize the contract and schedule installation contingent on surfacing decisions and grant timing.

Quotes (as recorded in the meeting): "It included sensory, which specifically was requested, separation of age categories," Josh Wagner said. A vendor representative told the court: "If you get the rubber grant, great. If you don't, that's a risk" regarding surfacing timing and cost.

The court did not specify a firm construction start date during the meeting; staff and the vendor identified May as a practical surfacing/install target if the county pursues the state surfacing grant.