Parks commission preliminarily picks Playground Specialist for new tot-lot, asks staff to finalize adjustments

Walkersville’s parks commission on Monday preliminarily selected Playground Specialist to install the town’s new tot-lot, agreeing to a motion that accepts the bid with planned equipment adjustments and follow-up meetings with staff.

Staff presented two bids — Metro Rec (which attended the mandatory pre-bid) and Playground Specialist (which did not attend the pre-bid but conducted a site walk with town staff the next day). Staff told the commission both bids were submitted on time and recommended flexibility because only two companies bid and the project is a partial playground update rather than a full replacement. "If you like that plan but you don't like the fact that they technically were not pre-bid, we can always put it back out," staff said.

Several commissioners said they preferred Playground Specialist’s layout and graphics. One commissioner said, "I think it's fine with them coming the next day and it is a small component of the playground," and another noted changes could be made after a preliminary pick. A commissioner moved "to accept Playground Specialist as our bid with some amendments to be made in the next month," and the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

The commission directed staff and the selected vendor to meet on-site to discuss equipment substitutions and minor layout changes — for example, removing or swapping a balance track that had been reinserted into one plan — and to return with a finalized proposal at the next meeting for official sign-off. Staff also flagged a likely site adjustment: widening the walkway to ensure access to the accessible digger and improving drainage by relocating the sandbox slightly uphill.

Why it matters: The decision moves the town closer to replacing or upgrading play equipment at a neighborhood park while preserving flexibility to refine the design and stay within budget. Commissioners emphasized they were not awarding a final contract at the meeting but making a preliminary selection to avoid delaying the project until January (the commission does not meet in December).

Next steps: Staff will meet with the vendor to produce a revised layout and itemized quote, then present those amendments for formal approval at the next commission meeting.