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Lake City details $395,303 Youngs Park equipment upgrade and splash pad plans
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Summary
City staff presented a proposal to replace play equipment at Youngs Park and add a splash pad; staff estimated $262,368 for equipment and $132,935 for installation (total $395,303) and said funding would combine existing MARIA funds and budget moves, with splash-pad construction phased into the 2027 budget.
City staff outlined a plan to overhaul Youngs Park, replacing aging playground equipment, upgrading bathrooms and safety surfacing, and adding a fenced splash pad.
Steve Brown, who led the presentation, said the equipment quote alone is $262,368 and that installation is estimated at $132,935 — "for a grand total of $395,303." He said the vendor quote came via a cooperative contract and that much of the equipment is ADA-compliant.
Brown told the council the city could cover roughly half the cost immediately using MARIA funds and budgeted amounts, leaving the splash pad as a candidate for the 2027 budget cycle. "So we're about halfway there from being able to pull the trigger with you guys' approval," Brown said.
Council members asked about fencing, shade structures and whether removing trees would be necessary to fit the splash pad. Brown said the splash pad location is constrained by utilities and that the city will seek an amendment to its Suwannee River Water Management District permit so it would not need a full new permit. He described the splash pad as a flow-through sensor-activated system tied to wastewater so water would not be recirculated.
Council members also raised inclusion and future amenities: one member asked whether there would be room in the plan for a skate park in a later phase; Brown said the layout could be adjusted to reserve space for ramps or a separate skate area. Several council members urged staff to move quickly to lock in quoted prices, with one noting that vendor quotes are typically valid about 30 days.
Next steps: staff will return with a financing plan and timeline, color options for equipment and specific installation dates. The council indicated general support and asked staff to include fence and color options in the next packet.
