City of Redondo Beach - File #: PA25-1556

• File #: PA25-1556
• Type: Discussion Items
• Status: Agenda Ready
• File created: 11/7/2025
• In control: Public Amenities Commission
• On agenda: 11/12/2025
• Title: RECEIVE AND FILE FINAL DESIGN FOR THE FRANKLIN PARK PLAYGROUND REPLACEMENT PROJECT PROVIDE INPUT FOR THE CITY COUNCIL'S CONSIDERATION REGARDING THE FINAL DESIGN FOR THE PROPOSED FRANKLIN PARK PLAYGROUND

TO:                                                               PUBLIC AMENITIES COMMISSION

FROM:                                          KELLY ORTA, DEPUTY COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR

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RECEIVE AND FILE FINAL DESIGN FOR THE FRANKLIN PARK PLAYGROUND REPLACEMENT PROJECT

PROVIDE INPUT FOR THE CITY COUNCIL’S CONSIDERATION REGARDING THE FINAL DESIGN FOR THE PROPOSED FRANKLIN PARK PLAYGROUND

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BACKGROUND

As part of the FY 2024-25 fiscal budget, the City Council allocated $500,000 to replace the aging playground equipment at Franklin Park with an all-abilities playground structure.  This would be the City’s first inclusive playground for children with disabilities and other developmental challenges.  To help guide the design of this unique play space, staff and Councilmember Kaluderovic, whose district includes Franklin Park, convened a stakeholder group of community members with meaningful ties to the project.  The group includes park users; occupational therapists and other developmental professionals; parents and family members of children with disabilities; and Public Amenities Commissioners serving on the Franklin Park Playground Subcommittee, including Commissioners Lang, Caldwell, and Galassi.  The stakeholder group has met throughout the past few months to develop and refine a play space that is engaging, provides a variety of elements that will appeal to children of all abilities, and takes advantage of the limited space.

Design

The proposed design for the playground includes a variety of features on the main structure, including low-level ramping, slides, a platform rocker, climbers, and sensory boards.  Additional stand-alone elements were selected for the perimeter of the play space to fit as many engaging pieces as possible, including a spinner, sensory panels including chimes, and a colorful shadow-casting feature.  Included as Attachment 1 is an aerial diagram of the proposed play space as well as concept image.  Below is a concept image; additional images are included as Attachment 2.

The colors of the playground were carefully selected to be inviting and fun, but not too bright for those with visual sensitivities.  The blue shade structures surrounding the play area are existing and would coordinate perfectly with the large shade structure in the center of the playground to develop a cohesive layout.  The surrounding shade structures were provided by the same vendor, GameTime, so the design and colors will match seamlessly.

Funding

The City Council allocated $500,000 in the FY 2024-25 fiscal budget for this project.  Estimated costs for the proposed playground are approximately $390,000, which is all-inclusive of the work necessary to complete this project including demolition of the existing playground equipment and surfacing; manufacturing of the new structure and equipment; and installation of equipment and surfacing.

In addition to the City’s allocated funding, the LA Kings Foundation (Kings) has graciously donated $75,000 to be used towards this project.  Staff has worked closely with Kings representatives to develop an added component to the playground that is both interactive and provides a branding opportunity for the LA Kings.  Throughout the playground, there would be a series of Kings crowns and paw prints to represent the LA Kings mascot, Bailey.  Children can participate in a scavenger hunt throughout the playground to find all images, which adds an additional opportunity for inclusive play for children of all abilities.  As an example, the image below shows the crowns on poles.  Please note that this will not be the final design or placement for these items, but is merely used for example purposes.

Additionally, the City is the recipient of a grant from GameTime and the California Parks and Recreation Society (CPRS) that will provide a 50% discount off of the cost of the playground equipment.  Specific to the elements included in the proposed design, the grant would provide a $99,060 discount, which is already reflected in the $390,000 cost for the project.  The proposed playground is consistent with the terms of the grant, which requires the use of GameTime equipment.  Since the existing shade structures surrounding the play area are GameTime products, sole sourcing the playground equipment to GameTime would provide consistency, both in the actual products and in aesthetics of the entire play space.  Staff has been happy with its partnership with GameTime at Franklin Park and is confident that it could provide a high-quality playground for the community.

Considering available funding, staff anticipate this project to be completed under budget by approximately $185,000.

Timeline

The estimated timeline for this project is approximately three months from the time of contract execution, pending unexpected shipping or installation delays.  It takes six to eight weeks for manufacturing of the equipment, a few weeks for delivery, and four to five weeks for demolition and installation.  Staff plan to take the proposed design and input from the Public Amenities Commission (Commission) to the City Council in December, which would provide staff the authority to begin developing the contract.  Once completed, that will be taken back to the City Council for approval.  Considering other projects that the city if working on coupled with the upcoming holidays, staff anticipate the playground to be replaced by late spring/early summer 2026.

Staff recommends the Commission receive and file the proposed Franklin Park playground design, and provide input that will be shared with the City Council during its upcoming review.

ATTACHMENTS

Proposed Franklin Park Playground Aerial Diagram

Proposed Franklin Park Playground Concept Images