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Commission recommends nature-themed Promenade playground with added shade, safer surfacing and sculptural elements
Summary
The commission recommended Option 1 (nature/flower theme) for Promenade Park's playground but added specific conditions: reduce engineered wood fiber, use safer EPDM rubber surfacing where feasible, add GFRC sculptural 'iconic' features and boulders tied to the hillside, and increase tactile/interactive elements. The motion was made and seconded and commissioners directed staff to incorporate the enhancements.
The Parks and Recreation Commission selected a nature-driven design direction for the Promenade Park playground and asked staff to return with modifications that increase shade, reduce wood-fiber surfacing, add safer rubber surfacing (EPDM), and include sculptural and interactive play elements.
Ed Rodriguez, the project manager overseeing the Promenade playground replacement (funded by Measure ES), presented two options: a flower/nature theme (Option 1) and an airport theme (Option 2). Each option included 2–5 and 5–12 age-group play structures and integrated shade elements. Rodriguez said the schedule anticipates preliminary design in spring 2026, design finalization in summer 2026 and construction completion in late 2026.
Commission feedback emphasized four consistent themes: (1) retain and increase shade coverage to address heat-island concerns; (2) favor non-toxic EPDM rubber surfacing rather than extensive engineered wood fiber where safety and long-term maintenance permit; (3) add tactile, kinetic and sound-interactive features that encourage child development; and (4) incorporate GFRC sculptural elements and boulders to make the playground more 'iconic' and to tie the design to adjacent hillside character.
Commissioner Munos made the motion to select Option 1 with those enhancements; Commissioner Olsen seconded. The chair called for a vote and the motion passed. Staff said the commission's recommendation would be incorporated as a condition of the design and that staff would return with revised drawings and cost implications.
Because the commission selected a design direction and requested specific material and feature changes, the next staff steps are to draft modified design drawings and provide updated cost estimates and a construction timeline for the commission's review.
