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Council approves $183,390 for Oak Ridge Park playground replacement
Summary
Balch Springs’ City Council approved up to $183,390 to replace playground equipment at Oak Ridge Park, with staff saying the package offers age-range play elements and some ADA-accessible components though not a fully accessible playground. Council asked staff to consider placement and protective barriers.
Mayor Pro Tem Garcia moved and the council approved funding for a new playground at Oak Ridge Park, authorizing Craftsman's Commercial Playgrounds to supply equipment "not to exceed $183,390." The motion drew questions about whether the existing equipment would be repurposed and where the new set would sit relative to a nearby parking lot.
Christina Genday, the staff presenter, said the replacement will include play elements for ages 2–12, balance beams and swings and that the vendor’s package had been adjusted to match the city's color scheme. "It's...playground equipment," she said while walking through the package and noting staff will evaluate the condition of the existing structures for possible salvage. Councilmembers pressed for spacing from the parking lot and asked staff to consider low-cost protective barriers and future inclusion of more ADA-complete equipment.
Councilmember Tartisha Hill seconded the motion to move the item forward after discussion. After members called for the vote, the motion passed; the official meeting minutes record the approval and do not show any amendment to the dollar amount.
The council also directed staff to consider placement that increases separation from parked cars and to explore bollards or other protective measures where budget allows. Staff said they would review the salvaging potential of the old equipment when removal begins and evaluate ADA needs for future park projects.
