Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks Playground Replacement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Port Hueneme council approves $456,532 playground replacements amid accessibility concerns
Summary
The City Council authorized a contract with Great Western Recreation to replace aging playground equipment at Miranda and Bolker parks. Staff said a time-limited matching grant and RDA bond cut the general-fund cost; advocates urged more inclusive designs for children with disabilities.
The Port Hueneme City Council on Jan. 20 authorized a $456,532 contract with Great Western Recreation to replace playground equipment at Miranda and Bolker parks and approved a 5% contingency, with the total not to exceed $479,016.
City staff said the existing equipment—installed between 2010 and 2013—has reached the end of its useful life and no longer meets California health and safety standards. Housing and facilities director Gabby Basuya told the council that manufacturers will not provide replacement parts and that corrosion, missing components and tripping hazards had left some structures boarded or removed.
"Commercial playground equipment's lifespan ranges between 8 to 10 years, but can last up to 15 to 20 years with consistent maintenance," Basuya said, summarizing staff inspections and the project scope. Basuya presented renderings and a construction plan that would start immediately if the council approved the contract; staff estimated installation would take about two to three weeks per site, weather permitting.
The project budget for Miranda Park equipment was shown as approximately $366,006.06 before grants and bond offsets; staff reported a $103,000 matching grant, an RDA bond set-aside for Miranda, and proposed a $59,145 net general-fund contribution for Miranda. Bolker Park's equipment total was listed at $253,004.93 with a net general-fund impact of roughly $198,222 after offsets.
Autism Society Ventura County advocacy manager Brian Schumacher urged the council to pause and require more inclusive play elements. "Inclusivity isn't just about ramps or meeting minimum ADA requirements. It's about belonging," Schumacher said, arguing the plans would not allow a child in a wheelchair to play on much of the equipment.
City staff and several council members responded that the project had been timed to meet an expiring grant and to avoid closing unsafe playgrounds, and that more comprehensive inclusivity measures (such as rubberized surfacing) were cost-prohibitive in the current package. The city manager and staff said they would incorporate incremental accessibility improvements where feasible and review future funding opportunities for additional inclusive elements.
The council approved the contract by roll call vote; Mayor McQueen LeJeune and other council members recorded the motion (the motion passed with Council members Hernandez and Gama absent). Staff said demolition could begin immediately and that public-works crews would perform demolition and minor accessibility repairs to maximize savings.
Next steps: staff will execute the agreement, begin staged demolition and installation per the proposed schedule, and return to council with any recommended follow-up items or additional funding requests if needed.
