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...
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