Kirkland adopts ordinance to accept $20,000 park grant and approves ADA playground purchases

Kirkland Town Council on May 11 adopted Ordinance 2026‑5‑1 to establish a Community Foundation Park Grant Fund and accept a $20,000 grant to help buy an ADA‑accessible merry‑go‑round and extend sidewalks at the town park.

The ordinance was read aloud and, after a motion to suspend the rules, the council completed first and second readings and adopted the ordinance in the same meeting. The ordinance specifies that any unspent grant funds will be returned to the Community Foundation at the close of the grant period.

Council then reviewed bids for sidewalks and park equipment. Staff presented three sidewalk quotes: Metsinger Construction ($4,750), Elite Concrete ($6,900) and A1 Concrete Solutions ($7,965). The council voted to award the sidewalk contract to Metsinger Construction, the low bidder.

For the ADA merry‑go‑round and the required poured‑in‑place rubber surfacing, staff presented three vendor totals: $29,591 (Willy Goat option), $45,352 (Midstate Recreation) and $46,428 (ABC Play). Council voted to proceed with the $29,591 Willy Goat package. Staff said lead time on the equipment is four to eight weeks with installation expected in July.

Town staff and council members said the Community Foundation’s $20,000 grant will cover a portion of the merry‑go‑round and surfacing costs; the town will need to appropriate additional funds (staff estimated roughly $14,000–$15,000 more) to complete the purchase and installation.

Quotes from the meeting highlighted local support: “I’ve heard from people that are really glad to see this coming,” one council member said, noting families and children with disabilities who would benefit from accessible playground equipment.

Next steps: staff will execute the contract with Metsinger for sidewalks, proceed with ordering and scheduling the Willy Goat merry‑go‑round, and present the necessary additional appropriation paperwork for council action.