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Otsego council approves Lily Pond Park renovation, orders playground from Midwest Playscapes
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Summary
The City of Otsego council authorized bids for a $576,629 Lily Pond Park renovation and approved procurement of playground equipment from Midwest Playscapes for $174,944.83 to keep the construction schedule on track.
The City of Otsego council on Feb. 23 approved plans and specifications for a renovation of Lily Pond Park and authorized the city to solicit construction bids, moving forward with a project estimated at about $576,629.
HKGI landscape designer Hannah Schmitz told the council the project followed a community engagement process that mailed 400 surveys and received 105 responses. "So tonight, there is 2 motions as you will see. 1 to procure the playground, the other to authorize the bid process," Schmitz said, and requested early procurement of the play structure to avoid long lead times.
The renovation targets several elements: replacement of aging playground equipment, resurfacing trails, full tennis‑court resurfacing with added pickleball striping, a new half‑court basketball area to reduce costs, parking‑lot repairs, irrigation allowance and a restroom enclosure. Schmitz said the park commission selected Midwest Playscapes (PlayWorld equipment) from four vendor proposals; the vendor quote for the playground came in at about $174,944. "They came in at $174,944," she said. A PlayWorld zip line was offered as an alternate, estimated at roughly $46,000 pending bid outcomes.
Project budgets and timing were presented to the council: the playground target was $175,000, the assembled estimate came to $576,629 and the all‑alternates total would be approximately $629,229. If authorized, staff said bids would open March 18, the council would award the contract March 23, construction would begin in May and the team hoped to finish by mid‑August.
During questions, the parks director said most of the park remains irrigated from an original well installed when the park opened and that much of the site is past the 20‑year service threshold, necessitating comprehensive repairs. Council member Corey asked about lighting; staff confirmed LED fixtures are in place and functioning and noted the site connects via a north–south trail to Norland Landing Park.
Mayor moved to approve the project plans and authorize the bid process; the motion passed by voice vote. The council then approved a second motion to accept the playground quote and authorize staff to procure the play equipment from Midwest Playscapes in the amount of $174,944.83; that motion also passed by voice vote.
With bids and procurement authorized, staff will proceed with the advertised bid process and, if schedules hold, begin construction in May.
