PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT FOR O'NEIL PARK
Park playground equipment is replaced approximately every 20 years according to a replacement plan maintained by City staff. Because some equipment gets used more than others, staff annually reviews all playground equipment to determine the condition of each piece of equipment and whether it should be replaced. After each review, staff recommends which structures should be included in the five-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).
The playground equipment in O'Neil Park, 300 S. Maple, was included in the FY 2026/27 CIP for replacement. There are two playground structures in O'Neil Park that will be replaced: one for ages two to five, and one for ages five to twelve.
Staff sent a Request for Proposals (RFP) to qualified playground equipment representatives, inviting them to submit proposals to replace the playground equipment in O'Neil Park. The RFP stated that $145,000 was available for playground equipment and installation.
Staff received 14 proposals from nine separate vendors and evaluated them based on the following criteria: safety; play features including balancing, spinning, sliding, climbing and swinging components; site compatibility; accessibility and inclusivity; supports physical, cognitive, and emotional/social development; cost vs. relative play value; unique play features; and aesthetics compared to existing structures within the park, as well as the overall park system.
Proposals were submitted by:
- Boland Recreation, Marshalltown, Iowa
- Play-Pro Recreation, Clive, Iowa
- BCI Burke Company, Inc., North Fond du Lac, Wisconsin,
- Crouch Recreation, Elkhorn, Nebraska
- American Playground and Recreation, Tea, South Dakota
- Cunningham Recreation, Charlotte, North Carolina
- Midwest Playscapes, Inc., Des Moines, Iowa
- Park Planet, Solon, Iowa
- Playground Boss, Allen, Texas
PUBLIC OUTREACH:
Staff evaluated the 14 proposals received and selected five options that were presented to members of the Oak to Riverside Neighborhood in early September. The neighborhood narrowed down the five playground options to three, which are attached. A survey available to all Ames residents was then included in the weekly Parks and Recreation e-newsletter that is distributed to over 12,000 email addresses. The survey link was also posted on social media.
In total, 169 survey results were received. These results indicate that respondents favored the options in the following order:
- Option 3 (80) Crouch Recreation
- Option 1 (49) Boland Recreation
- Option 2 (40) Cunningham Recreation
The survey also asked residents if they lived within walking distance of the park. Of the respondents, 58 individuals (34%) lived within walking distance of the park. When looking at the survey results only from the people that live within walking distance, Option 3 was also the preferred choice.
BUDGET:
There is $166,480 budgeted for this project. The cost of the new playground structure and swings (option 3) for individuals aged two to five and five to twelve years old is $139,035. This leaves $27,445 remaining, which will be used to install a concrete playground border, benches, and engineered wood fiber surfacing.
- Award a contract to Crouch Recreation, Elkhorn, Nebraska, to purchase and install playground equipment, Option 3, for O'Neil Park, in the amount of $139,035.
- Award a contract to one of the other vendors.
- Refer this item back to staff for further information.
Residents of Ames, year after year, rate the playgrounds in the parks good or very good over 90% of the time. In an effort to keep playground equipment safe and enjoyable, it needs to be replaced on a periodic basis.
The playground structures in O'Neil Park are due for replacement. Based on feedback from staff and residents, the option offered by Crouch Recreation is the most desired playground equipment proposal. Therefore, is it the recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council adopt Alternative #1 as noted above.