CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: September 2, 2015
PREPARED BY: Chris Ghione, Community Services Director
APPROVED BY: City Manager
Title
UPDATE ON INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUND STATUS
END
RECOMMENDATION(S)
RECOMMENDATION
Receive update on the progress towards development of an inclusive playground at Community Park.
BODY
COUNCIL PRIORITIES, GOALS & STRATEGIES:
Ongoing Priorities
Supporting youth
2015 Focus Areas
Stimulate Economic Development
Infrastructure Funding and Advocacy
Community Engagement Effectiveness
REPORT NARRATIVE:
About six months ago a group of residents formed the Morgan Hill Inclusive Playground Committee. The Committee’s goal is to fundraise for the development of large inclusive playground in Morgan Hill. An “inclusive playground” differs from an” accessible playground” in that it has an aim to make it not only accessible for those with mobility issues, but just as importantly to encourage and enable all children to engage with one another while using the playground. Successful fundraising efforts for inclusive playgrounds have recently occurred in a number of nearby communities, including Salinas, Palo Alto and San Jose.
Since forming, the Morgan Hill Inclusive Playground Committee has moved quickly to develop community support. It currently has over 20 regular committee members and several more committee members supporting in a lesser role. The group has reached out to the Morgan Hill Community Foundation and been approved to fall under its umbrella once the group raises $5,000 for its initial donation. The group now has a website (www.morganhillplayground.org <http://www.morganhillplayground.org>) and a Facebook page. The group is actively recruiting committee members to support the upcoming fundraising campaign and meeting with the groups that successfully built playgrounds in other communities. The active fundraising campaign will begin following the concept designs for the park.
The City Council previously approved funding for this concept design work and an additional $300,000 towards construction of the park. A request for proposals for the concept design work is currently out and initial designs should be completed before the end of the year. In discussing the fundraising process with other communities, these initial concept designs are critical in fundraising process. The FY 2015/16 Capital Improvement Program identified Community Park as the most likely location for the park. The Committee completed a review of potential locations and has now officially designated Community Park as their desired location for the park. The Community Park location (Attachment 1) would provide the basis for the concept design work and future fundraising.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Empower
This project was brought forward by community members and is being driven by community members. The concept design work will allow for the community to take the lead in designing the park.
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS:
This report is for informational purposes only, no action is required. The Council could use this opportunity to provide comments and feedback on the project.
PRIOR CITY COUNCIL AND COMMISSION ACTIONS:
The City Council approved funding for concept design work as well as $300,000 to go towards construction of this project as part of the FY 2015/16 Budget.
FISCAL AND RESOURCE IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact related to receiving this report.
CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act):
Not a Project
Receiving this report does constitute a project. The requirements of CEQA will be followed prior to the development and construction phases of this project.
LINKS/ATTACHMENTS:
1) Planned Park Location