Gahanna staff unveil three inclusive designs for Friendship Park playground; $750,000 budget request

Gahanna Parks & Recreation staff presented three concept designs for a rebuilt Friendship Park playground that emphasize inclusive features for children and people with disabilities, and said the city is pursuing funding to move the project into design and construction.

"We anticipate that this will be funded for 2026," said Zach, the parks operations manager, during a presentation that summarized community feedback and consultant proposals. Staff said they received roughly 450 survey responses that helped shape the concepts, which were developed after an RFP process that led to a contract with Civil Solutions working with DWA Recreation and GameTime.

The three concepts share several accessibility-focused elements: gently sloped ramps that meet minimum ADA slope standards, multiple swing bays with interchangeable seats, ground-level musical and sensory panels, and a designated 2-to-5-year-old play area. One concept includes a roller slide and a taller tower element; another prioritizes wider double ramps to accommodate cross traffic and easier access. Staff said some higher platform areas will require users to exit a mobility device to reach the top, and that designers have incorporated transitional platforms and handholds to ease access.

Board members asked about surfacing, footprint, amenities and cost. Zach said the planned surfacing is an accessible rubber surface and that the third concept is the most developed in price terms. He stated the city has requested $750,000 for the project and will submit a full-match equipment grant through the manufacturer's program in January to offset the main structure's cost. Procurement for the project will use the Omnia cooperative purchasing agreement the city has used on prior playground builds.

Staff outlined the schedule: additional community engagement and final concept selection in January, design in January, grant application in January, and a target to begin construction in late winter or spring with a Memorial Day opening as the goal if funding and timelines hold. Staff said benches, fencing and other site features will be added during the site design phase.

Jessica Bennett of Jeremiah's Corner, who volunteered on the project team, and other consultants were credited with advising on accommodations for children with developmental disabilities. Board members and staff emphasized that the selection process will include more outreach and follow-up with survey respondents before final design decisions are made.

The board handled routine business at the start of the meeting, approving the minutes with members recorded as voting yes: Harvey McCluskey, Pauline, Eric Miller, Jan Ross, Ted Shepherd and Donna Sutton. Members exchanged holiday greetings and a motion to adjourn was moved near the meeting's end; no formal vote on adjournment is recorded in the provided segments.

If the grants and procurement timelines hold, Gahanna staff said the playground will proceed into construction in 2026; staff will return with final cost estimates and implementation details after the January design work and grant outcomes.