Orange City council approves full replacement of damaged Windmill Park play structure after parks update

Noah Minnik, representing the city’s parks and recreation department, told the Orange City Council about a busy year for youth programming, volunteer projects and recent equipment upgrades and asked the council to choose a replacement for a storm-damaged playground at Windmill Park. The council voted to proceed with the largest replacement option (option three) and to use insurance proceeds to offset the cost.

Minnik outlined staffing and participation figures that he said underscored demand for recreation services: 775 participants across 20 summer programs, 504 soccer participants, 205 flag-football participants and 13,397 pool admissions over the summer. He credited dozens of volunteers, Northwestern College teams and parent coaches with supporting youth programs and said the department had hired a park supervisor (Jackson Miller) and continues to be supported by assistant parks and recreation director Jiren Paw.

Minnik described recent capital work at the pool — new filters installed in September and two new main pumps purchased earlier in the season — and showed photos he said illustrated the improvement in water quality. He also reviewed maintenance and park projects, including repairs to a sinking bridge, refurbishment work at Windmill Park and volunteer-led plantings; volunteers planted about 30,950 tulip bulbs in Windmill Park, he said.

On the play structure at Windmill Park, Minnik said an inspection following storm damage found structural problems and that the city had filed an insurance claim. He presented three options: repair and replacement of only the broken components; replacement with a new structure (transcript lists an option two figure); and a larger full replacement (listed as option three in the packet). "I personally like... option three," Minnik said, adding that a full replacement would better match the Windmill Park renovation and could be scheduled for early spring.

A council member moved to proceed with option three; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote. Council discussion emphasized coordinating the replacement with the Windmill Park renovation and applying insurance proceeds toward the cost. Minnik said the vendor (Bolan Recreation) could schedule work in early spring and that the department will pursue the insurance settlement and contract timing with the vendor.

The council’s vote authorizes staff to proceed with the chosen replacement option and to use available insurance funds toward that work. Staff said they will return with final contract details and scheduling once insurance and vendor arrangements are confirmed.