Background/Discussion
The Department of Park, Recreation and Public Property has been working in partnership with the North Broadway Neighborhood Association, a group of Gunn School graduates and the 712 Initiative to improve Kimball Park.
Kimball Park serves this area as a Neighborhood Park, providing open space, a small “tot” playground, lighted tennis/basketball courts, picnic areas, walkways and two small parking areas. After initial discussions, the group focused on priority use park elements that could be included in a Phase I project.
The park’s playground is small and oriented to young children, so with the loss of the larger playground at Gunn School, an improved playground became a priority. Other priorities included the improvements to the basketball court, adding a pickle ball court, correcting a drainage problem and retaining the park’s open spaces. A shelter, to be located in the active use area, became important and the Gunn School graduate group agreed to raise money for this element. The Gunn group had been seeking to recognize Gerald Dixon, the school janitor who died following the school’s 1967 explosion and fire. They felt this park shelter was an appropriate way to comemerate Mr. Dixon.
City funding for the Kimball Park Rehab is provide by the following sources:
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Nbrh Park Rehab – 2015 CIP - $ 30,000
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Nbrh Park Rehab – PR-17-95 - $100,000
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Nbrh Park Rehab – PR-19-05 - $ 70,000
TOTAL $200,000
Estimated Expenditures
* Construction, $148,542
* Contingency, $14,454
* Engineering/Planning/Design, $24,800
* Testing/Construction Mgmt/Inspection, $7,500
TOTAL $191,296
* Estimated Alternate #1 - Shelter, $33,000 (acceptance of alternate depends upon private fund raising success)
In accordance with the City’s Consultant process, HGM, Inc. was selected to provide planning, design and engineering services for Phase I.
As designed, the project will remove the existing basketball/tennis court. A new play court surface will be constructed accommodating basketball and the City’s first Pickle Ball court. Additionally, the project adds a new Space Net play feature. This element will expand the park’s service by attracting older children. Access to this area is being improved with added sidewalks. New storm drains and lines addresses the current storm water issues. Fencing, benches, tables and landscaping are all included.
The preceding items comprise the project’s Base Bid. Contractors will also provide an Add Alternate bid for the shelter, which will be accepted if the fund raiser is successful.
If approved, construction on the Kimball Park Rehab Phase I will be initiated this summer with substantial completion projected for late fall.