Little Red Wagon seeks city-funded fencing for proposed toddler playground behind community center

Little Red Wagon Daycare proposed adding a second playground for infants and toddlers on the grass area behind the Cohasset Community Center, and asked the city to fund fencing because the site is city property.

Representatives for the daycare described a proposed footprint of about 25 by 28 feet, located roughly 5 feet from the building. The plan calls for small, mobile pieces of equipment (slides and other low-height elements) that would not be bolted to the ground; the daycare intends to purchase the equipment. Because the council determined a safety surface is required, the daycare prefers rubber matting or turf and said wood chips were not acceptable due to splinter risks.

City staff told the council the project would require approximately 106 linear feet of fencing with two gated latches for security. Two vendors submitted competitive bids: Keller Fence, Inc., slightly above $5,000, and Iron Oaks Fence, slightly under $5,000; the estimated cost per linear foot was reported in the $47to50 range. Council members expressed general support for the project but requested copies of both bids before approving any city-funded work. Staff will contact Keller Fence to obtain a formal written estimate and will return to council with the documented bids and timing details, which the council said will depend on contractor availability.

Next steps: council requested formal bid documents and timing estimates from staff before any approval or budgeting decision. The council did not vote on funding at the May 26 meeting.