On January 10, two playground concepts were presented by Sarah Lerner, the Project Manager from Parks Department.  This is based on the survey results from the neighborhood:

1. Manufacturer - Playworld (by a slim margin)
   
2. Fill Material - Wood mulch
   
3. Posts and railing color - Lime green
   
4. Age Range - 5-12 years old
   
5. Add-Ons - Yes (only 11 respondents)*
   
6. Add-on choice - Spring Rider ($4,500)*
   

*The deadline to indicate fundraising efforts to add the spring rider ($4500) playground equipment was December 15.  No one has volunteered to coordinate the effort and only 11 respondents to the survey indicated yes to fundraising. Additionally, the money (~$4600, with the administrative fee) must be raised by March 1, 2017 through the Madison Parks Foundation. As such, LENA Board has determined that we will not be pursuing the additional playground asset at this time. Note that the blue half circle teeter-totter/climber/bouncer and the yellow spinny equipment will remain and relocated to the new playground structure area.

Below are the concepts presented.  Concept 2 was the preferred option with suggestions provided to be incorporated.  The final design is currently in progress and will be shared once Sarah has had a chance to discuss and review with the playground manufacturer, Playworld. 

Suggested modifications include the replacement of the following items:

• Tic-tac-toe panel
  
  • Replacement option:  Nature Hunt Panel
    
• Metal climber
  
  • Replacement option: Stalagmites
    
• Monkey bars
  
  • Replacement option: Horizontal Loop Ladder or the Roundabout
    

In addition, an inquiry has been made for the installation of additional park benches and potentially replacing one of the swing options (belt or the toddler) with an inclusion swing (e.g. accessible swing). 

Assuming these changes are within the budget allotted for the project, a final concept layout will be presented and finalized.  Project bids will go out and once a RFP (request for proposal) is accepted, construction will be scheduled.  LENA will be working closely with the City on this project to ensure construction schedule does not interfere with our neighborhood events (e.g. summer picnic).  The playground is expected to be installed this fall. 

The Playground Workshop was held at the Whitehorse Middle School on Wednesday, November 16 at 6PM.  The scope of the workshop was as follow:

1. Overview of the City of Madison Playgrounds
2. Playground Design Process
3. Playground Standards and Requirements
4. Budget
5. Timeline

At the meeting, attendees were grouped by neighborhood/playgrounds where a brief discussion took place of the existing conditions of the play equipment.  The goal of the workshop/break out session was to determine the following:

• Targeted age range for the new equipment
• Colors of the structures
• Surfacing material
• Playground manufacturers

The options for age range were 2-5 years old and 5-12 years old (examples below). 

As indicated in the images above, the options available for selection are:

• BCI Burke
• Playworld Systems
• Playcraft Systems
• Burl'e*

Learn more about these manufacturers by selecting the embedded links to the websites.  *More to come - as Burl'e may be affiliated with Burke. 

There were a handful of Lake Edge neighbors who attended the workshop and decisions were needed to be made.  I asked if we could have additional time to survey the neighborhood.  The request was granted.  As such, please complete the survey no later than Monday, November 28.  I will compile and submit the information to the Project Manager, Sarah Lerner.  I've started a discussion thread in the LENA Facebook Group. 

Thus far, wood mulch and Playworld are the preferred choices.  The replacement project includes the following: 

• A standard baby/toddler and adult swings are included (as pictured above regardless of the manufacturer chosen)
• One play structure
  • Options such as the number of slides, monkey bars, etc to be determined at the next meeting based on the manufacturer selected
• Add-ons
  • Possible to add play equipment via fundraising
• Construction and installation costs including relocation of the yellow spinner and the blue half circle climber and bouncer

Here's the plan for the park (see image below).  An asphalt pathway will be installed connecting the shelter to the new playground structure, making it accessible and ADA compliant.  Next meeting is scheduled for January 10 at 6PM at the Pinney Library.  I will create an event for the meeting once confirmed.  Play structure options will be presented for selection based on the manufacturer selected at this meeting.  Neighbors and attendees will be able to provide further inputs such as the play options (e.g. monkey bars, bridges, climbing wall, etc) at this meeting.  Please be sure to check back or join our Facebook group or LENA to receive most current information. 

The City of Madison Parks Division is once again about to embark on the annual public input meeting process for the playground replacement projects budgeted for 2017.
  
This public process includes a regional playground workshop specific to playground replacement projects at Brigham, Lake Edge, McGinnis and Tenney Park.  The workshop will include a larger group discussion, providing opportunity for neighborhoods to learn and share ideas, then will break out into smaller individually staffed sessions to address design considerations specific to each park.  Following the workshop, staff will use input gathered at this meeting to develop two playground concepts, which will be presented at a second playground meeting held this winter.  The new playground equipment will be installed in 2017.
 
Please feel free to bring children to help provide input on the playground!
 
PLAYGROUND WORKSHOP
6:00 pm, Wednesday, November 16, 2016
Whitehorse Middle School - Library Media Center
218 Schenk Street
 
All questions and comments regarding this workshop should be directed to Sarah Lerner, Landscape Architect, at slerner@cityofmadison.com or (608) 261-4281.
 
If the community wishes to fundraise to expand the playground budget, we ask that the community provides anticipated fundraising goals by December 1, 2016 to Sarah Lerner so that the design concepts can be developed accordingly.  More information on fundraising opportunities will be available at the meeting and also on-line.
 
For additional updates on park projects and fundraising, please visit:
https://www.cityofmadison.com/parks/projects/lake-edge-park-playground-replacement-contract-2017-playground-replacements-group-3