To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: ELIZABETH HAUSE, COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR
TITLE
title
ADOPT BY TITLE ONLY RESOLUTION NO. CC-2604-019, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDONDO BEACH, CALIFORNIA, DECLARING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE FRANKLIN PARK PLAYGROUND AS “MAINTENANCE” AND EXEMPTING IT FROM BIDDING REQUIREMENTS PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 19 AND 19.1(A) OF THE CITY CHARTER OF REDONDO BEACH
APPROVE AN AGREEMENT WITH PLAYCORE WISCONSIN, INC., DBA GAMETIME, FOR THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF NEW PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT AT FRANKLIN PARK FOR A COST OF $394,856.32
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Budget proposes replacing the aging playground at Franklin Park with the City’s first all-abilities, inclusive play space designed for children with disabilities and developmental challenges. A stakeholder group collaborated over several months to design a compact, yet engaging, playground with accessible features such as ramps, slides, sensory elements, and perimeter play components. The City Council approved the final design on December 2, 2025, with equipment and installation to be provided by Playcore Wisconsin, Inc. (Playcore).
Staff recommends the adoption of the attached Resolution declaring the playground replacement as a maintenance project, and approval of the proposed Agreement with Playcore, totaling $394,856.32. The project includes demolition of the existing play structure, equipment, and surfacing; installation of the playground equipment; and installation of rubberized surfacing. In addition to the City’s previous allocation of $500,000 for the project, the City received a joint grant from the California Parks and Recreation Society (CPRS) and GameTime, a division of Playcore, that provided a 50% discount off the cost of the playground equipment, which is already included in the project cost. Further, the LA Kings Foundation is providing a $75,000 donation towards the project, allowing approximately $180,000 of the project budget to be used towards other park improvements. If approved, the playground would be completed by September 30, 2026.
BACKGROUND
The CIP Budget includes funding 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 along with Councilmember Kaluderovic, whose district includes Franklin Park, convened a stakeholder group of community members with meaningful ties to the project. The group included park users; occupational therapists and other developmental professionals; parents and family members of children with disabilities that frequent the park; a representative from the Friendship Foundation, which is building a facility adjacent to the park that will provide services for individuals with special needs; and Public Amenities Commissioners serving on the Franklin Park Playground Subcommittee, including Commissioners Lang, Caldwell, and Galassi. The stakeholder group met over several months to develop and propose 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 that is available for its installation.
At its December 2, 2025 meeting, the City Council approved the final design for the Franklin Park playground, which 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 in the area as possible, including a spinner, sensory panels including chimes, and a colorful shadow-casting feature. Included below is an aerial rendering of the new playground.
The playground design was developed by Playcore, often referred to as GameTime, which is the direct manufacturer of the playground equipment. Playcore was selected based on its demonstrated leadership in the design and manufacturing of all-abilities playgrounds, as well as its prior completion of successful projects in the City. This includes improvements at Franklin Park for the replacement of shade structures adjacent to the existing play area, and a highly successful partnership in the design and installation of the new playground at Dominguez Park. Additionally, the City was the recipient of a joint grant from CPRS and GameTime, which provided a 50% discount on the cost of the playground equipment.
Attached is a resolution formally classifying the replacement of the Franklin Park playground equipment as a maintenance project, and a proposed purchase and installation agreement with Playcore. The scope of work includes demolition and site preparation, fabrication and installation of the playground equipment, and installation of rubberized playground surfacing throughout the existing play area. The total contract cost would be $394,856.32, which includes $5,939 to cover the cost of bonds. If approved, fabrication of the equipment would begin immediately and staff would work closely with Playcore representatives to coordinate installation as soon as possible. Substantial project completion is expected by September 30, 2026.
Staff recommends the City Council adopt the Resolution formally classifying the replacement of the Franklin Park playground equipment as a maintenance project and approve the proposed purchase and installation agreement with Playcore for the Franklin Park playground replacement project.
COORDINATION
The Community Services Department coordinated with the Public Works Department and the City Attorney’s Office in the development of the proposed Agreement.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Franklin Park Capital Improvement Project Budget, Account #102, includes $500,000 for the replacement of playground equipment. The cost provided by Playcore for the demolition of the existing playground equipment and surfacing, manufacturing of the new structure and equipment, and installation of the new equipment and surfacing is for a net amount of $394,856.32, including the 50% offset for the cost of the playground equipment as part of the CPRS/GameTime grant obtained by the City and the cost of the required bonds. Additionally, the City received a $75,000 donation from the LA Kings Foundation, which further reduces the total project cost to the City, leaving approximately $180,000 in the Project Budget for other park improvements.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
• Reso - No. CC-2604-019 Formally Classifying the Replacement of the Franklin Park Playground Equipment as a Maintenance Project
• Agmt - Purchase and Installation Agreement with Playcore Wisconsin, Inc.