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Redevelopment commission approves Welch Park redesign adjustments and playground equipment purchase
Summary
The commission approved a contract deduct to Welch Park that removes pickleball courts, approved moving pickleball to Kiwanis Park, and authorized a $350,690.28 contract to buy playground equipment described as inclusive and demonstration-grade.
The Madison City Redevelopment Commission on May 12 approved a significant change to the Welch Park project and authorized purchase of a new playground intended to serve ages 2–12.
Tony Steinhardt presented redesigned plans for Welch Park that include approximately 50 parking spaces serving a nearby hotel, a full-size basketball court, new public restrooms, a renovated shelter house made accessible, sand-volleyball and foosball courts, and an expanded playground. To reduce contract scope and cost, staff proposed change order number 1 as a contract deduct of $651,427 that removes items including the pickleball courts; staff said the removed courts will be relocated to Kiwanis Park with funding to be worked out later.
The commission heard a presentation from Jeff Branham of Sinclair Recreation on the proposed playground equipment. Branham said the design separates a 5–12 area and a 2–5 area, includes climbing features, a transparent Holloway Tunnel linking towers to improve visibility, a Sensory Wave seat designed for special-needs users, and rubber surfacing. He said the equipment life expectancy is about 20–25 years and outlined standard post-installation maintenance.
A commissioner thanked staff and donors for elevating the riverfront park experience and for focusing on inclusive recreation. Tony noted a sources-and-uses document in the packet and said some savings from the Welch Park deduct would be used toward playground equipment. The RDC approved change order number 1 and then voted to purchase the playground equipment for $350,690.28.
Next steps: staff will execute the playground contract, coordinate relocation plans for pickleball courts to Kiwanis Park and continue outreach to donors and partners ahead of a planned groundbreaking event.
