Board moves three neighborhood playground designs to public vote; Loudermilk project boosted by $250,000 donation

The Community Services Advisory Board voted April 21 to advance public voting on three neighborhood playground projects — Anthony Park, River Park and Loudermilk Park — and to send the public’s selections to City Council for contract award.

Chad Merrick, Community Services Director, said the staff and a project committee shortlisted multiple design options tailored to each site and recommended that the community choose the final look at each location. He noted that Loudermilk Park’s playground scope was expanded after a $250,000 private donation, which doubled that site’s playground budget and allowed a larger shelter and upgraded amenities to be included in the design options presented to the public.

"We want the public to decide," Merrick said, describing the staff’s intent to present two or three vetted options per park for a community vote; staff will then forward the public’s favored option at each park to City Council for award. Board members voted in favor of advancing the public engagement and moving the selections to the council agenda.

The public-vote plan covers: Anthony Park (two shortlisted designs), Loudermilk Park (three shortlisted designs; additional donor-funded shelter included), and River Park Community Center (two shortlisted designs). Staff said color palettes and some components will be adjusted to reflect donor wishes and local context before the public vote.

Next steps: staff will publish the shortlisted options for public comment and voting, tabulate results, and include the public selections in the City Council contract-award agenda.