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Naples details playground RFPs, $500,000 donation to Locter Mill Park, paid summer internships and Easter egg hunt
Summary
City staff briefed the advisory board on the Cambria Park playground RFP and three additional playground projects, announced a $250,000 donation matched to $500,000 for Locter Mill Park, confirmed paid internships at $19/hour, and reminded residents the free Easter egg hunt is April 4.
City of Naples staff used the March 17 Community Services Advisory Board meeting to outline a suite of parks and recreation items: a Cambria Park playground procurement timeline, three separate playground projects, a matched donation boosting Locter Mill Park's playground budget to $500,000, paid summer internships, summer-camp registration metrics and an April 4 Easter egg hunt.
Aaron Hopkins, deputy director of community services, said the Cambria Park playground RFP closed in February and the selection committee narrowed bidders to a shortlist. Shortlisted companies will be interviewed April 7 and will present to the advisory board on April 21 so the board can question vendors and form a recommendation to city council. Hopkins emphasized that each of the three additional playground projects (Charlie C. Anthony Park, River Park Community Center and Loudermilk Park) will be evaluated and awarded separately and that preliminary designs for those three were due March 31.
On funding, Chad Merritt, the community services director, told the board the Nommelson (also cited as the Tatum) family pledged matching funds that doubled a previously budgeted $250,000 for the Locter Mill Park playground into a $500,000 project, allowing enhancements such as a natural barrier and a commemorative plaque.
Hopkins also updated program metrics and staffing: summer camp registration is open with 655 campers registered at the time of the report and the in-house "Spring into Sunset 5K" is sold out with 400 runners. He said city council approved internship positions in the budget: one events-and-marketing internship and three parks-and-recreation internships. Staff clarified the internships are paid positions at $19 per hour and require enrollment at a four-year college or university.
Hopkins reminded residents the City of Naples Easter egg hunt is April 4 with staggered start times by age group, free admission and free photos with the Easter bunny. "It is free admission," Hopkins said, adding parking guidance and safety notes for attendees.
Short-term next steps include RFP interviews on April 7, advisory-board vendor presentations April 21, and the public voting window for playground designs April 17 through May 1.
