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Heath council dedicates 0.54 acres at Terry Park for ‘Marcia’s Happy Haven’ after donor pledge
Summary
The Heath City Council unanimously approved dedicating 0.54 acres at Terry Park to an all-abilities playground named Marcia’s Happy Haven after staff reported a single donor has verbally pledged about $1.1 million; the project previously collected about $93,000 and staff expects donated funds within months.
The Heath City Council on Tuesday voted unanimously to dedicate roughly 0.54 acres at Terry Park for an all-abilities playground to be named Marcia’s Happy Haven after staff reported a verbal pledge from a single donor of about $1,100,000.
Chelsea Gordon, staff presenting the item, said the project began in 2019 and that the city currently holds about $93,000 in those private funds. “We have a single donor that’s verbally indicated a commitment of around $1,100,000 for this project,” Gordon said, describing schematic designs that include restrooms, two age-separated play areas, accessible surfacing and perimeter fencing.
The project’s 2019 estimate was a little over $1.1 million, Gordon said, and the original resolution to dedicate the land expired after the full amount was not collected within the resolution’s three-year window. Under the renewed resolution brought to council, staff said the city would re-dedicate the 0.54-acre parcel provided the pledged funds are received within an approximately six-month window.
Council members asked for details on maintenance and accessibility. Gordon said maintenance is expected to be handled by current parks staffing levels and noted the city has reorganized internally to create a dedicated parks function; she also confirmed the new restroom facility would be ADA-compliant. “We should have the manpower, maintain this aspect of the park that would be brought to you in a in another budget season,” she said.
Councilwoman Horn pressed whether donors exist to cover the remaining shortfall; Gordon replied, “So we have the one donor that’s verbally pledged the $1,100,000 and then at that point, once we secure that donation, we would reengage the initial architect to basically bring up the the cost and better understand where we’re at and kind of what that shortfall is and then begin to plan on if we need additional funding.”
Councilman Dodson moved to approve the resolution; Councilman Ombi seconded. The council voted and the motion passed unanimously.
The council’s action reestablishes the land dedication but leaves receipt of funds and final design details to subsequent steps, including architect cost updates and future budget planning for maintenance.
