Assistant Director David Guido outlines East Summit neighborhood playground plan; Memorial playground survey planned

Assistant Director David Guido told the Summit City Council on Wednesday that the city is moving forward with a smaller-scale, neighborhood-focused playground in the East Summit area and expects public input and a July contract award to finalize details. The design, he said, came in at $370,000 under the Bergen Bids contract and the project is planned to be covered largely by donations. "If the grant and donation are accepted tonight, we'll ... be at 396 on hand," Guido said.

Guido said the East Summit playground is intentionally modest in size to avoid worsening parking on nearby streets near the community center and is intended primarily for pedestrian access. The schematic emphasizes equipment for 2–5 year olds — a large play structure, balance beams and swings — with one structure geared to older children but without the ancillary features of larger parks.

The project team (Guido said designs were developed by Ben Marcin in coordination with Game Time) plans to post the full plans to the city's website tomorrow and will solicit public comment from June 3 to July 3. Based on feedback, staff will revise plans if needed and seek to award the Bergen Bids contract at the July 28 council meeting. Guido estimated a 6–8 week equipment delivery window, with on-site construction expected in September and October, and said the city aims to complete three new playgrounds in Summit by year end.

Funding and neighborhood mitigation were central to Guido's presentation. He said the project will be "completely funded through donations," and that remaining funds after purchase would be used to create about eight to 10 parking spaces closer to Morris Court to reduce curbside impacts. Guido also noted a small 'tiny forest' feature near the five‑to‑12 play area on the schematic.

Guido provided status updates on other playground work: one under-construction site was pushed back to the week of June 29, citing health issues with the site foreman, unexpected drainage work and the discovery of a large tree stump; Tatlock playground still required final assembly and an inspection and may open as soon as the end of the week or on the following Monday. On the Memorial playground, Guido said one piece is out of service. He said the capital budget includes $200,000 for Memorial tied to bond ordinances, that the city hopes to distribute a community-wide survey by mid‑June, and that the CPPS committee will discuss whether to fully replace the playground or repair the defective piece and return with a capital request in 2027. Fundraising will drive the scope and timing of Memorial renovations, he said.

Council member Boyer briefly asked whether heavy equipment would be used at Memorial; the exchange included light banter about playground features. The presentation closed after council thanks and an invitation for any additional questions.

The council did not take formal action on the East Summit project during the presentation; next procedural steps are the public comment period (June 3–July 3) and the scheduled contract award discussion on July 28.