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Legacy Park playground update: engineers say permits OK, community group has raised $1M but contract sequencing could delay bids
Summary
Designers told the board Eustace Engineers reduced its next‑phase fee by $32,000 and that early permitting and stormwater reviews allow the project to proceed to detailed design. Legacy Park leaders say fundraising has crossed $1,000,000; Play by Design's $24,300 next phase and contracting sequence remain unresolved and could affect a March bid schedule.
The Legacy Park community and Eustace Engineers gave the Jenkintown School District board a detailed update on Nov. 10 about the reduced‑scope playground design and next steps toward construction bidding.
Daryl Campana of Eustace Engineers said an initial feasibility draft was submitted and that his firm reduced the next‑phase fee by $32,000 to help meet budget constraints. He reported that the project is cleared at an initial review for feasibility, permitting and stormwater management at the phase‑1 level, but that further subsurface investigation and construction documentation are needed before bidding.
Community representatives said Legacy Park fundraising has surpassed $1,000,000 and that Play by Design — the playground consultant who ran the earlier design day — needs a roughly $24,300 contract to convert the concept work into the equipment and selection documents Play by Design would hand to Eustace for construction drawings. Designers and some board members warned that disturbing a large amount of field surface could push the project into a different county review bracket and trigger a nine‑month county bidding and review process.
Legal counsel cautioned that the board could not approve Play by Design work at the Nov. 10 meeting because the item was not on the posted agenda; the board discussed options for moving the work forward without violating public‑meeting (sunshine) rules. Board members and designers also discussed materials (composite structures, cork surfacing), warranty expectations, drainage solutions for the Florence Avenue corner and alternatives for bid packages so the district could scale elements depending on final funds.
Designers said the plan includes alternates to protect the district from bidding unknowns and that cost estimates include contingency; a cost‑estimating firm is reviewing numbers. The team recommended moving toward a March advertising window for bids to allow a six‑week bidding period and a timely start of construction, but they said that Play by Design would need to complete selections early to avoid slipping the schedule.
Board members emphasized two priorities: (1) ensuring the district does not begin work it cannot fund and (2) maintaining or improving site sight lines to preserve supervision and safety. Designers said the revised layout will improve line of sight versus the existing enclosed “castle.” The board asked the team to return with detailed documentation and alternatives at the December meeting and to identify procurement and contracting options that preserve liability protections and the timetable.
