Commission recommends Play Creations fish-themed playground for Manor Park and caps equipment at $75,000

Forest Lake’s Parks and Recreation Commission recommended city council approval of Manor Park improvements and selected a playground option from responding vendors.

Staff explained Manor Park’s playground is roughly 25 years old and described a 2025 allocation of $125,000 for park improvements (removal, new border, drain tile, surfacing and amenities). Parks staff issued an RFP for playground equipment with an equipment budget of $75,000; several vendors responded and provided 2D/3D renderings.

Dane Kubechek of Play Creations (a local vendor) presented a fish/nature-themed concept: a central fish tunnel/climber linked to other play components, activity panels, and the option for themed log benches. Kubechek said the company could install, monitor and provide local maintenance response and noted the fish element is a new product the firm is offering at a reduced cost to gain market exposure.

Commissioners discussed modifications (adding a slide and swapping a climber) and the practicality of benches and surfacing. On a recorded sequence of motions the commission moved and seconded a recommendation to council to approve the Manor Park project funding (not to exceed $125,000), and then recommended purchase of vendor Option 2 (Play Creations) with the fish climber and an added slide; the commission amended the recommendation to cap the playground equipment purchase at not to exceed $75,000. All motions passed by voice vote.

Next steps: staff will transmit the commission’s recommendations to the city council for final approval and proceed with procurement and contract steps if council concurs.