HomeMy WebLinkAbout7A - Playground Equipment at Seven Parks
STAFF AGENDA REPORT
AGENDA NUMBER:
PREPARED BY:
7A
PAUL HOKENESS, PARKS & RECREATION
DIRECTOR
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION 97-XX
AUTHORIZING THE AWARD OF BID FOR THE
PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF PLAYGROUND
EQillPMENT AT SEVEN PARKS
OCTOBER 20, 1997
SUBJECT:
DATE:
INTRODUCTION:
The purpose of this Agenda item is to award the bid for the
purchase and installation of playground equipment at the
following parks:
Boudins, Cardinal Ridge, Memorial, The Pond's,
Wilderness Pond's, Wilds, and Willows
BACKGROUND:
Cardinal Ridge, Wilderness Pond's, Wilds, and Willows will
be funded through the approved 1997 Parks Capital
Improvement Program. Memorial, The Pond's, and Boudins
will be funded by the 1997 Parks and Library Referendum.
Memorial and The Pond's were included in the referendum
due to the size of the equipment needed in a Community Park
and the cost of such equipment. Boudins was included in the
referendum at the request of the neighborhood.
Cardinal Ridge, Wilderness Ponds and the Wilds are new
installations. Boudins, Memorial, The Pond's, and Willows
are replacement installations.
DISCUSSION:
The new playground equipment will be modular, meet the
. new safety standards, and provide the accessibility
requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. In 1996
we installed modular playground equipment at Northwoods,
Carriage Hills, Indian Ridge, Green Oaks and W oodridge.
We have received rave reviews by the children and parents.
This new modular design is durable, attractive, accessible,
safe, requires minimum maintenance, and is most of all fun.
PL YBID97.DOC
16200 Eagle Creek Ave. S.E., Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372-1714 / Ph. (612) 447-4230 / Fax (612) 447-4245
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The Parks Advisory Committee has conducted a tour of
surrounding communities and critiqued the playground
equipment that was installed by the various vendors.
Playground equipment proposals were submitted on
Wednesday, September 3, 1997. There were proposals from
vendors representing six different playground equipment
manufacturers. On Monday, September 8, 1997 each vendor
was given the opportunity to make a presentation to the Parks
Advisory Committee and Mr. Jeff Schoenbauer of Brauer and
Associates. The following vendors gave presentations:
VENDOR
EOillPMENT
Midwest Playscapes
Flanagan Sales, Inc.
Miracle Recreation Equipment Co.
Minnesota/Wisconsin Playground
St Croix Recreation Co., Inc.
Earl F. Anderson, Inc.
Playworld System
Little Tikes
Miracle
Gametime
Kompan
Landscape Structure
Brauer and Associates has been hired by the City to assist the
Parks Advisory Committee in the selection process and they
also assisted us with preparing the Request for Proposals. Mr.
Schoenbauer is very knowledgeable in the area of park design,
and, in particular, playground equipment design and safety.
Attached is a copy of the recommendation and field inspection
report which was submitted by Mr. Schoenbauer.
On Monday, October 13, 1997, at their regular meeting, the
Parks Advisory Committee and Mr. Schoenbauer again
reviewed all of the proposals, and, as a result of their findings
were able to make a final selection. The final selection was
based upon play value, safety, accessibility, warranty,
aesthetics, design, durability, and the quality of equipment.
The selection was also based upon the quality of the products
and installations as observed by the . Parks Advisory
Committee and Mr. Schoenbauer at various locations in the
Metropolitan area. Mr. Schoenbauer and members of the
Parks Advisory Committee will be present at the City Council
meeting to answer any questions that the Council may have.
PL YBID97.DOC
Based upon the selection criteria, the Parks Advisory
Committee recommends to the City Council that the following
playground equipment be purchased and installed in the
following locations:
Park, Age Group,
Dollar Amount
Ponds (6-12yrs.)
$50,000.00
Ponds (2-5yrs.)
$17,000.00
Memorial (6-12yrs.)
$37,000.00
Memorial (2-5yrs.)
$10,000.00
Boudins (6-12yrs.)
$18,000.00
Selected Vendor
Equipment
Flanagan Sales, Inc.
Little Tikes
St. Croix Recreation Co., Inc.
Kompan
Earl F. Anderson, Inc.
Landscape Structures
St. Croix Recreation Co., Inc.
Kompan
Flanagan Sales, Inc.
Little Tikes
Cardinal Ridge (6-12yrs.) Earl F. Anderson, Inc.
$18,000.00 Landscape Structures
Wilds (6-12yrs.)
$18,000.00
Willows (6-12yrs.)
$18,000.00
Earl F. Anderson, Inc.
Landscape Structures
Flanagan Sales, Inc.
Little Tikes
Wilderness Pond's (2-5yrs.) St. Croix Recreation Co., Inc.
$8,000.00 Kompan
The c.I.P. Parks Capital Improvement Fund includes funds
for the installation of playground equipment at the following
parks:
FISCAL IMPACT:
LOCATION
Cardinal Ridge
Wilderness Ponds
Wilds
Willows
AMOUNT
$ 18,000.00
$ 8,000.00
$ 18,000.00
$ 18,000.00
c.I.P . TOTAL
$ 62,000.00
PL YBID97 .DOC
ALTERNA TIVES:
RECOMMENDATION:
ACTION REQillRED:
REVIEWED BY:
PL YBID97.DOC
The 1997 Parks and Library Referendum includes funds for
the installation of playground equipment at the following
parks:
Boudins
Memorial
Pond's
$ 18,000.00
$ 47,000.00
$ 67,000.00
$132,000.00
$194,000.00
REFERENDUM TOTAL
PLAYGROUND TOTAL
The size of the playground equipment and consequently the
dollar amount is based upon the size of the park and the area in
which the equipment is to be installed. Larger community
parks such as Memorial and The Pond's require larger
playgrounds to accommodate greater attendance.
1. Approve Resolution 97-XX awarding the bid for the
purchase and installation of playground equipment as
recommended by the Parks Advisory Committee.
2. Table this Agenda item for a specific reason.
3. Deny this Agenda item for a specific reason.
Staff recommends Alternative No.1. This alternative would
allow us the opportunity to provide updated playground
equipment which will meet all of the current safety,
accessibility, and play needs of our children.
Motion and second to approve
/
RESOLUTION 97-xx
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE A WARD OF BID FOR THE PURCHASE
AND INSTALLATION OF PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT AT SEVEN PARKS
MOTION BY: - SECOND BY:
WHEREAS, the following parks are scheduled to receive new playground equipment
as listed in the 1997 Capital Improvement Program and Parks and
Library Referendum.
Parks and Library Referendum
Boudins
Memorial
Pond's
and,
WHEREAS,
Parks Caoital Imorovement Prol!ram
Cardinal Ridge
Wilderness Ponds
Wilds
Willows
the City of Prior Lake is committed to providing top quality playground
equipment for it's children, and,
WHEREAS,
the City's Capital Improvement Program and Parks and Library
Referendum allocates funds in 1997 for the acquisition and installation
of new playground equipment, and,
WHEREAS,
the new playground equipment will be modular, will meet current
safety standards, and provides accessibility required pursuant to the
Americans with Disabilities Act, and,
WHEREAS,
bids have been solicited and received for the purchase and installation
of new playground equipment and the following six companies have
submitted proposals and given presentations:
VENDOR
Midwest Playscapes
Flanagan Sales, Inc.
Miracle Recreation Equipment Co.
MinnesotalWisconsin Playground
St. Croix Recreation Co., Inc.
Earl F. Anderson Inc.
and,
EQUIPMENT
Playworld System
Little Tikes
Miracle
Gametime
Kompan
Landscape Structures
16200 {Jg)1~~'R<a~. S.E., Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372-1714 / Ph. (612) 447-4230 / Fax (612) 447-4245
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
WHEREAS,
Earl F. Anderson, Inc., Flanagan Sales, Inc., and St. Croix Recreation,
Co., Inc. have by motion, second, and unanimous vote been selected by
the Parks Advisory Committee as the Companies which can provide
playground equipment that is of high quality, attractive design, and
optimum play value and elements.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PRIOR
LAKE, hereby awards bids to Earl F. Anderson, Inc. for purchase and installation of
elementary age (Landscape Structures) playground equipment at Cardinal Ridge,
Wilds, and Memorial Parks at a cost not to exceed $73,000.00 with a project
completion date of June 1, 1998; and,
hereby awards bids to St. Croix Recreation Co., Inc. for the purchase and installation of
pre-school age (Kompan) playground equipment at Memorial, Ponds, and Wilderness
Pond's at a cost not to exceed $35,000.00 with a project completion date of June 1, 1998;
and,
hereby awards bids to Flanagan Sales, Inc. for the purchase and installation of
elementary age (Little Tikes) playground equipment at The Pond's, Boudins, and
Willows Parks at a cost not to exceed $86,000.00 with a project completion date of June
1, 1998; and,
FURTHER,
FURTHER,
FURTHER,
that funds for such equipment and installation be drawn from the Parks
Capital Improvement Program and Parks and Library Referendum
Funds; and,
The City Manager is hereby authorized to return bid securities
submitted with the proposals to the vendors following the execution of
contracts; and,
The Mayor and City Manager are authorized to execute the contracts on
behalf of the City.
Passed and adopted this 20th day of October, 1997.
YES NO
Andren Andren
Kedrowski Kedrowski
Mader Mader
Schenck Schenck
Robbins Robbins
{ Seal} City Manager
City of Prior Lake
PLYBDAWD.DOC
Recommendations for Playground Equipment Selection
City of Prior Lake
Date: October 14. 1997
Project: Competitive Proposals for Playground Equipment - City of Prior Lake
To: Prior Lake City Council
Prior Lake Parks Advisory Committee
Prior Lake City Staff
From: JeffSchoenbauer, VICe President, Brauer & Associates, Ltd.
Re: Recommendations for Playground Equipment Selection
Overview
Competitive proposals were requested and received for playground equipment for nine park settings and age
groups. A total of six (6) vendors submitted as listed:
· Minnesota Wisconsin, Inc.
· Midwest Playscapes
· Flanagan Sales
· St. Croix Recreation
· Mirade Equipment
· Earl F. Anderson
Proposal Requirements
The legally advertised Request for Competitive Proposals for Playground Equipment was provided to all
interested vendors. The proposal defined the requirements and parameters for submitting proposals for each
of the play equipment categories. Each proposer was asked to consider the following design issues:
I. Physical play area.
2. Social interaction play zones.
3. Creative play zones.
4. Quiet play zones.
5. Open and transition areas.
6. Accessibility
Evaluation and Selection
The Parks Advisory Committee, in concert with the Consultant and City staff, participated in interviewing
proposers, evaluating their presentations and submitted materials, and selecting the ones that they felt best
addressed the following criteria:
I. Design
2. Safety
3. Quality and durability of equipment components.
4. CosWalue.
5. Delivery and installation timeframe.
6. Warranty provisions.
7. Review/inspection of previous installations.
As part of the interview, each proposer was also asked the following questions:
Brauer & Associates. Ltd.
Recommendations for PlaY$!round Equipment Selection
City of Prior Lake
· Are you responsible to ensure that all equipment is installed as per manufactures specifications?
· Can our inspection of past installations be used as a means to judge the overall quality of the product you
are offering?
· Does all of your equipment meet current industry standards for safety - CPSC. etc.7
· Can you ensure us that your equipment can be installed by June I, 1998, assuming you get the go ahead by
November I. 1997?
The Park Advisory Committee held the interviews during their September meeting, with a follow up meeting
held on October 13th to make the final selections. The consultant presented field inspection results during the
October 13th meeting.
Selected Vendors
Mer consideration of the proposals and review of pertinent field inspection findings (Appendix A), the Parks
Advisory Committee selected the following vendors for the various parks as defined in the table below.
PMK AND AGE GROUP AMOUNT HoTTo ExCEED SELECTED VENDOR .
Ponds Park - Elementary Age (6-12) $50.000 Flanagan Sales - little Tikes Series
(5 -0 vote)
Ponds Park - Pre-School Age (2-5) $17.000 St. Croix Recreation - Kempan
Series (5 - 0 vote)
Memorial - Elementary Age (6-12) $37.000 Earl F. Anderson - Landscape
Structures Series (3-2 vote)
Memorial - Pre-School Age (2-5) $10.000 St. Croix Recreation - Kempan
Series (S - 0 vote)
Boudins - Elementary Age 9(6-12) $18.000 Aanagan Sales - little Tikes Series
(5 - 0 vote)
Cardinal Ridge - Elementary /J.f.e 9(6-12) $18.000 Earl F. Anderson - landscape
Structures Series (S - 0 vote)
Wilds - Elementary Age 9(6-12) $18.000 Earl F. Anderson - Landscape
Structures Series (S - 0 vote)
Willows - Elementary Age 9(6-12) $18.000 Aanagan Sales - little likes Series
(5 - 0 vote)
Wilderness Ponds - Pre School Age (2-5) $8.000.00 St. Croix Recreation - Kompan
Series (5 - 0 vote)
In the context of the evaluation criteria, the Parks Advisory Committee specifically cited the following points as
some of the key rational behind the above selections:
· Design - the design features of the selected play equipment impressed the Committee. Mer reviewing all
of the submittals. the Committee simply preferred the ones that were selected .
· Cost/Value - the Committee felt that the play equipment selected offered the best value with respect to
the overall quality of the play experience within the context of budget limitations.
· Quality (ProductllnstallationtService) - the Committee felt that the selected vendors have a proven history
of carrying an excellent product, taking responsibility for assuring installation was properly done. and had a
solid history of service follow-through and standing behind the equipment warranties.
Brauer & Associates. Ltd.
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Recommendations for P1a~round Equipment Selection
Oty of Prior Lake
Consultant Recommendations
Brauer & Associates. Ltd. recommends that the City of Prior Lake accept the proposals of the selected vendors
as defined above for each of the listed parks. It should be noted that Brauer & Associates will continue to work
with City staff and the selected vendors on specific design issues and product warranties prior to ordering
equipment to ensure that all of the City's specific requirements and expectations are clearly defined and
appropriately addressed.
Installation
It is expected that all of the play equipment will be installed in the spring of 1998, with 100% completion
expected to be by July I, 1998.
Brauer & Associates, Ltd.
3
Recommendations for Playground Equipment Selection
City of Prior Lake
Appendix A - Summary of Field Inspection Findings
The following provides an overview of the findings related to the Consultant's field inspections of the play
equipment associated with the various venders. Please note that the intent of the inspections was to gain some
assurance prior to final acceptance that the general quality of the play equipment products being offered and
their installations were found to be acceptable.. The Consultant's's field notes, both pro and con, were
presented to the Parks Advisory Committee after they made their initial vendor selections. This approach
helped ensure that play equipment selections were based primarily on the merits of each proposer's
presentation and submittals, with the field inspections serving to highlight any concerns about installation quality
and vendor follow-through.
It should be noted that the quality of the selected products, their safety, product warranties, and the quality of
their installation will continue to be scrutinized until installation is complete and accepted by the City.
Minnesota Wisconsin - Game Time Series Equipment
Parks Reviewed: Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community
Comments: Large series of play structures that are brightly colored. Installation appears to meet industry
standards. Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community contact indicated that they were pleased with the
product and service of Minnesota Wisconsin. Their playground safety inspector also had high praise for the
product and service. Largely due to the owner's diligence, the safety surfacing under the structures was
generally kept in place. Bright color scheme probably not appropriate for some of the paries.
Midwest Playscapes - Playworld Series Equipment
Parks Reviewed: Glendale School (Savage), Five Hawks Elementary and Westwood Elementary (Prior Lake)
Comments: The structures reviewed were all built within the last few years. Some of the play equipment was
fairly extensive. The equipment product itself appeared to be reasonably solid, although the structures using
smaller posts seemed too light for a public park setting. (It should be noted that the vendor did not propose the
smaller pipes.) A number of areas of concern arose during a cursory review of the equipment installation,
including:
· Entrapments: keas in which a young child could get their neck or other body part caught. Example: A
handrail location where it appeared that the structure was not assembled correctly and thus created an
entrapment concern.
· Connections: Loose pieces were found in several locations. Example: A loose pipe fitting that holds the tic-
tac-toe panel in place. Also, rivets or bolts were missing that hold the arch members in place. In one case, a
slide bed was not bolted down to the main play structure. Bolts in a deck appeared to be missing.
· Installation of Slide Bed: Concerns about unevenness of slide bed seam. Also, a string entrapment, where
string from a hood gets hooked on slide section, appeared to exceed standards.
· Sharp Protrusions: Tabs on bolt connections were improperly aligned and thus protrude out, leaving a
sharp edge protruding from the structure.
In addition, the play area safety surfacing under a couple of the structures was either not yet in place (new
structure) or displaced during use. Based on a discussion with facility staff, however, it was learned that the
safety surfacing material was the responsibility of the owner,
Brauer & ~sociates, Ltd.
4
Recommendations for Playground Equipment Selection
City of Prior Lake
Flanagan Sales - Uttle likes Series Equipment
Parks Reviewed: Highlands (Edina) and Garden (Edina)
Comments: New structures installed summer of 1997. The structures appeared properly installed according to
manufacturer's specifications. with one notable exception: The entire structure was set too low in relationship
to the surrounding grade and curb line. Based on a discussion with the owner, the contractor is scheduled to
raise the structures to their appropriate elevation in the spring of 1998. Otherwise. the structures appear to
meet industry safety requirements. Safety surfacing in the play areas seemed adequate and in place.
St. Croix Recreation . Kompan Series Equipment
Parks Reviewed: linden Hills Park (Minneapolis). Shriners Hospital (St. PauQ, Community Park (Eden Prairie)
Comments: The structures appear to be very popular with the young children (2-5 year olds) in the park.
Overall. the structures appear to be durable enough for heavy use. with one exception: The deck on the Sand
Works structure and, to a lesser degree. the Adventure House structure have shown considerable wear do to
sand being ground into the surface as children play. Called the vendor to discuss and he assured me that the
manufacturer was aware of the problem and are developing new ways to eliminate it. He also assured me that
the manufacturer would replace any part that failed to meet the warranty provisions. Otherwise. the structures
appear to wear well. This issue was not as big of a problem with the structures at the Shriners Hospital and a
park in Eden Prairie. A key observation with respect to Kompan is the extent of heavy use the equipment was
getting at each of the parks visited. This was a common observation of park supervisors in communities where
the equipment is installed.
Miracle Recreation of Minnesota - Miracle Equipment Series
Parks Reviewed: Effa Playlot (Bloomington) and Valleyview Elementary (Bloomington)
Comments: Aside from some disbursement of play area safety surfacing. the structures appear to meet industry
safety requirements. No specific entrapments were found during a cur-;ory review. These particular structures
appeared several year-; old yet still in good shape with respect to paint fading and structural integrity.
Earl F. Anderson - Landscape Structures Equipment Series
Parks Reviewed: linden Hills (Minneapolis) and Arden (Edina)
Comments: Aside from some disbur-;ement of play area safety surfacing, the structures appear to meet industry
standards. No entrapments we found during a cursory review. The structure in Edina is new. with industry
standards appearing to be strictly adhered to with respect to installation. The Linden Hills structure is 5 year-;
old, with no noticeable deterioration. It should be noted that in each case, the park supervisors were pleased
with the installation and professional manner of the vendor representatives.
Brauer & Associates. Ltd.
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