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Commission debates cost and timeline for recurring ‘carousel’ public-art project
Summary
Commissioners discussed a proposal to install sculptural carousel figures in a Liberty Lake park. Two pieces this year cost about $50,000; members debated expanding to eight or 12 figures over several years and flagged site prep, ADA features, and whether to budget for phased additions.
Commissioners on the Liberty Lake Parks and Arts Commission spent substantial time May 4 weighing a recurring public-art proposal that would add sculptural “carousel” figures to a park.
Laura Frank, who presented artist materials and site sketches, said the recommended site is a raised area by the ball field that offers broad park visibility. The artist suggested adding two figures this year and building the collection over time; Frank said two pieces this year cost approximately $50,000. “These are designed for kids to actually climb on and sit on…photo opportunities on them,” Frank said.
The commission discussed scale and phasing. The artist proposed adding figures in pairs; eight figures would take about three additional years, 12 would take five years. Commissioners stressed the need to finalize materials and a mounting plan before committing because the first installation would include base and perimeter work that would remain fixed as the collection grows.
Staff flagged maintenance and risk-management questions, including preferred ground surfaces (playground bark or rubber rather than cement) and potential insurance or accessibility implications. Frank noted an ADA-accessible sleigh figure could be included to allow wheelchair users to interact with the work.
Budget placeholders for 2027 currently include $40,000 for a Liberty Lake art line and other items (Smarty board, city-hall exterior). Commissioners said they would weigh the carousel project against those other priorities and asked staff to return with more precise material, prep and cost estimates before any larger commitment.
