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Highland Village CDC corrects DoubleTree Ranch Park shade size; board allows project to proceed
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Summary
City staff told the Highland Village CDC that a previously reported 50-by-50-foot shade structure was a misprint and the replacement will be a 30-by-30-foot structure within the same 50-by-50 turf area; the board raised concerns about reduced shade and confirmed staff should proceed under the existing funding plan.
City staff told the Highland Village Community Development Corporation on April 13 that a slide in an earlier presentation mistakenly listed the new DoubleTree Ranch Park shade structure as 50 by 50 feet when the actual structure is 30 by 30 feet. The board heard details about how the project will proceed and raised questions about shade, safety and cost.
The correction came from a staff presenter (Staff member S4), who said, “it was stated in the presentation and on 1 of the slides that it was a 50 by 50 structure. It’s actually, not that large. The actual structure is 30 by 30.” S4 explained that the 50-by-50 measurement refers to the turf/base area around the shade, not the structure itself.
Why it matters: the original installation had been a larger footprint that included a chessboard feature. Board members expressed concern that the smaller structure will provide less shade for playground users and will not restore the chess pieces at this time. The board discussed potential future uses for the turf area, such as seating, play features or decorative inlays, but staff said there are no immediate plans to reintroduce the chessboard.
Staff said the existing concrete footers from the prior structure will not be removed; instead they will be cut below grade and the soil and turf patched. “Those won’t be removed. They’ll be cut off below ground,” S4 said, adding that the original installer will return to patch the turf and that past patches have held up well.
Board members pressed about safety and maintenance. The chair said, “I’m concerned about the reduction of overall size and the shade available to it,” and asked whether buried metal could pose a hazard; staff replied the cut posts will be left at least a foot below grade and the area will be packed and patched to match the surrounding surface.
Staff confirmed the contract cost for the replacement structure: S4 provided a corrected figure of $61,810.58 for the installation of the 30-by-30 structure and said that figure was based on the smaller footprint shown in the corrected slide.
Next steps: staff asked the board for a recommendation to continue with the project as previously approved, with the corrected dimensions recorded for council briefings. The chair asked if any member objected to moving forward; no objections were voiced and staff will proceed without a formal motion recorded at the meeting.
