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4 2005 Playground Projects MEMORANDUM CITY OF CHANHASSEN TO: Park & Recreation Commission FROM: Todd Hoffman, Park & Recreation Director 7700 Market Bou levard PO Box 147 Chanhassen, MN 55317 DATE: January 18, 2005 Administration Phone 952.227.1100 Fax: 952.2271110 SUBJ: Invitation for Public Comment - 2005 Playground Replacement Projects Building Inspections Phone 952.227.1180 Fax: 952.227.1190 BACKGROUND Engineering Phone 952.227.1160 Fax: 952.227.1170 One year ago, in January of 2004, the Park and Recreation Department completed a safety assessment of the ten wooden playground structures located within the city's park system. The credit for initiating this assessment is due to our park maintenance division who identified significant safety concerns with our older play structures. New safety guidelines had been implemented since the time that these wood structures had been installed, leaving many play components out of compliance with current guidelines. Finance Phone: 952.227.1140 Fax: 952.227.1110 Park & Recreation Phone: 952.227.1120 Fax: 952.2271110 Recreation Center 2310 Coulter Boulevard Phone: 952.227.1400 Fax: 952.2271404 The Park and Recreation Commission made it clear that upgrading park amenities to meet current safety guidelines was a top priority. City Administrators and the City Council supported efforts to update these playgrounds. The 2004 Capital Improvement Program included dollars to replace outdated playgrounds located at Lake Ann Park and Meadow Green Park. A new playground was also installed at Bandimere Community Park to account for the planned removal of a wood play structure at Bandimere Heights Park. Planning & Natural Resources Phone: 952.2271130 Fax: 952.227.1110 Public Works 1591 Park Road Phone: 952.2271300 Fax: 952.227.1310 The 2005 Capital Improvement Program includes dollars to remodel playgrounds at Minnewashta Heights Park and Carver Beach Park and to replace playgrounds at Chanhassen Hills Park, Curry Farms Park, Lake Susan Park, North Lotus Lake Park, and Rice Marsh Lake Park. In total, the City is investing $670,000 in cash plus labor between fiscal years 2004 and 2005 to upgrade City playgrounds. I commend all those involved for their quick action to ensure that City playgrounds meet published safety guidelines. Senior Center Phone: 952.227.1125 Fax: 952.2271110 Web Site www.ci.chanhassen.mn.us INVITATION FOR PUBLIC COMMENT One of the best ways to meet the needs of our residents is to ask for their input. So prior to initiating any detailed planning efforts on the five new playgrounds, a public meeting was scheduled. In some instances engaging the neighborhoods 4- ..- I' i r I: r ¡, i I The City 01 Chanhassen . A growing community with clean lakes, quality schools, a channing downtown, thriving businesses, winding trails, and beautiful parks. A glBat place to live, work, and play. Park & Recreation Commission January 18, 2005 Page 2 may result in Neighborhood Committees being formed to plan and install playgrounds. Other neighborhoods may elect to provide design input without actually forming a committee. In those instances the Commission would act on their behalf in completing the project. Selecting playground equipment is fun and complex work. Staff looks forward to working with the Commission and resident groups on these projects. COMMISSION ACTION I invite the Park and Recreation Commission to take formal public comments on each park site. Please take comments for one site at a time as listed on the agenda. At the conclusion of formal comments, I suggest the Commission take a 15-minute recess to engage the audience in informal conversation and to allow the Council Chambers to clear.