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Burlington council authorizes design work for Maiben Park natural playground despite funding gap
Summary
The City Council authorized the mayor to sign a contract with Learning Landscapes to prepare construction-ready documents for a Maiben Park natural playground, pressing ahead without grant funding in place; the motion passed 4–2.
BURLINGTON — Enrichment Services Director Sarah Ward asked the council Jan. 8 to authorize a contract with Learning Landscapes to develop construction-ready (Phase 2) documents for a natural playground at Maiben Park. Council voted 4–2 to authorize the mayor’s signature on the agreement.
Ward introduced the scope of work and the Parks Board recommendation. Council discussion centered on project cost, the project budget and available funding sources; Ward and council members noted that grant funding had not yet been secured for the playground and that other city parks also need upgrades.
Councilors Jamie Weiss, Kelsey Freeman and Scott Green voted in favor of authorizing the contract; Councilors Joe DeGloira and James Stavig recorded opposition in the meeting minutes. The motion language authorized the mayor to sign the Phase 2 agreement to produce construction documents necessary for bidding and construction.
The authorization advances the project to a stage where the city will have design-ready documents, but council debate made clear that the city still must identify funding to actually build the playground. The Parks Board recommended moving forward with the technical design work to enable future construction when funds are secured.
The council approved the contract authorization Jan. 8; next steps are completion of the documents and identification of construction funding.
