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Council directs staff to study tiered, lower-cost shade options for Blue Anchor Park
Summary
After hearing design options, cost concerns and resident preferences, the council asked staff to prepare tiered (phased) shade alternatives for Blue Anchor Park that range from umbrellas and prefabricated structures to longer-term trees and engineered shade structures.
Associate engineer Matthew Greening presented multiple design options for shade at Blue Anchor Park, including large shade sails, traditional engineered shade structures, prefabricated carport-style shelters, additional umbrellas and table groupings, and tree plantings.
Greening described the original shade-sail concept and showed alternative, lower-cost options intended to better match the depot and downtown aesthetic. Council members and residents discussed durability, safety and sightlines for supervising children at the splash pad and play structure. Several residents suggested adding more umbrellas and benches or purchasing preengineered park shade structures from standard suppliers as lower-cost near-term solutions. Others noted shade sails can be attractive but typically require replacement about every seven to 10 years.
Council indicated preference for a phased approach and asked staff to return with multiple cost bands and designs that could be presented as a tiered set of options and budgets. Staff said the park development fund could support the work and that adding trees would involve the tree fund if the design included plantings.
Why it matters: Blue Anchor Park is heavily used by families; the choice of shade approach affects visibility for caregivers, maintenance liabilities and long-term park aesthetics and costs. The council requested a staged plan so smaller, lower-cost changes can be implemented sooner while reserving options for more permanent solutions.
