Item No. 9
Town of Atherton
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT – REGULAR AGENDA
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
GEORGE RODERICKS, CITY MANAGER
FROM: ROBERT OVADIA, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
DATE: JANUARY 15, 2025
SUBJECT: PROVIDE FEEDBACK AND DIRECTION REGARDING THE
HOLBROOK-PALMER PARK PLAYGROUND IMPROVEMENTS
PROJECT
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Council provide feedback and direction to staff regarding the design direction for the Holbrook-Palmer Park Playground Project.
BACKGROUND
At the December 4, 2025, City Council Study Session, staff presented two options regarding design directions for the proposed playground improvements including a conventional design option and a proposal from the Magical Bridge Foundation for a more inclusive playground, summarized as follows:
Summary of playground options presented:
Conventional Playground (see attachment):
• Reversal of current layout, placing tot play area (fenced) on the left side and older playa area on right
• Expansion of the play area by approximately 2,200 sf
• Mix of poured-in-place rubber and engineered wood fiber surfacing o Additional poured in place surfacing was desired to extend throughout the tot area, but would exceed the budget, and an additional allocation would be needed • Play elements include slides (stairs), climbing structures, playhouse, spinners, swings, musical elements and sand play
o Though ADA compliant, would not be fully inclusive
• Fully expends Town’s construction budget of $1M
Magical Bridge (see attachments):
• Fully inclusive/accessible
HPP Playground Feedback and Direction
JANUARY 15, 2025
• Expansion of play area by more than 50%
• Poured-in-place (rubberized and/or cork) throughout for accessibility • Play elements include: ramped slides, swings, playhouse/stage, spinners, quiet zine, water play, recognition area
o Committee advised that water play features are finicky, difficult to maintain, and should be revised to an alternate feature
o Would include additional community engagement during design development • Expands the construction budget to approximately $3.5M, with anticipation of community donations in the amount of $2.5M. Additional donations to support Magical Bridge Foundation efforts to include design and other soft costs • Offered alternative delivery partnership options
After review and discussion, the Council deferred the selection of a design option to provide an opportunity for Council to further evaluate the options, provide individual feedback and concerns and allow for the project team to outline costs for additional options and features as may be suggested following the meeting.
ANALYSIS
Following the study session, the following questions and requests for information were provided to staff:
Conventional Design:
1) Surfacing and Fencing:
a) Provide more cork or poured rubberized flooring
b) Provide fencing around full playground area
c) Need more on the ground items - hopscotch, connect four, etc. d) More natural surfaces
e) No engineered wood surfacing
2) Play Equipment
a) Provide sound/sensory items like the vertical pipe sound bars b) Add T-Pee - popular item
c) Eliminate large chess set for smaller game tables
d) Need more “fort” type equipment
e) Add spinning chairs (as per Magic Bridge)
f) Add more multi-sensory items
3) Swings
a) Like the round net swings
b) Need more bench swings
c) Need more swings of same type
d) Need higher swings
4) Multi-generational and Seating Areas
a) Would like more tables with chess/play tops
b) Would like more tables in center or to the side (bathroom direction) 5) Shade
HPP Playground Feedback and Direction
JANUARY 15, 2025
a) Provide additional shade structures
b) provide shade cloth over slides and other plastic chairs to reduce the chance of burning
6) Sand:
a) What are the real health issues with sand?
Magical Bridge Design:
1) Will MB allow the Town to write the contract giving the Town flexibility 2) Will MB abide by the Park’s signage/plaque recognition requirements 3) Concerns about marketing and donor corner were raised 4) Timeline and project funding:
a) Need to better understand timelines and set a deadline for fundraising (4-6 months)
b) Complete any fundraising within 6 months.
c) What happens if project is not fully funded?
d) If project cannot be fully funded, and downsizing is not acceptable to Town, agree to cancel without consequences to Town
5) Slide
a) How high is the slide?
b) Need more/higher slides.
c) Consider raising hill to improve slide
6) Play Equipment/Structures:
a) Desire for MB to include more “risky play” structures b) Need more climbing equipment
c) Need more smaller equipment and perhaps riskier equipment elsewhere on site d) More stuff in between other stuff to the extent possible e) Need more stuff for bigger kids
f) Will MB object to the Town adding a more “risky” structure outside the base play area.
g) Is there an opportunity for a water feature
h) Need multiple versions of same swings
i) Can the swings be higher?
j) What about a themed design? Train? Boat?
7) Provide more shade over plastic structures
8) Multi-Generational Area
a) No giant chess
b) What about bocce, shuffleboard, or other multi-generational items? On December 13, 2024, the Magical Bridge Foundation advised that they were withdrawing their offer regarding the playground.
Interwest Consulting Group reached out to the equipment manufacturer to obtain additional information regarding costs associated with the additional features desired for the Conventional Playground. The following additional costs are provided to assist in better defining the desired components and associated costs before revising the conceptual design for the playground:
HPP Playground Feedback and Direction
JANUARY 15, 2025
Play Area Surfacing:
• Additional cost of rubberized surfacing for the Tot play area: $48,000 – credit available for deletion of wood chips ($9,000)
• Additional cost for rubberized surfacing for the older children’s area: $101,000 – credit available for deletion of wood chips ($10,500)
• Additional cost for rubberized surfacing for the entire playground: $149,000 • Additional costs to incorporate surface games (hop-scotch, etc.) on rubber surfacing:
$5,000
Play Equipment:
• Retreat Hut (T-Pee): $50,000 – credit available if playhouse is deleted ($12,000) • Harmonic chimes: $7,000 – 15,000 depending on size
• Jazz Combo: $15,000
• Jazz A Minor: $8,000
• Mother tree themed Tot structure: $75,000 – credit available for current structure ($45,000)
• Arch Swing: $15,000 - requires further investigation of available space • Merry-Go-All: $15,500 – credit available replacing the Dual Spinner ($4,800); requires further investigation of available space
Shade:
• 20-foot cantilevered shade: $14,000 ea – credit available if swapping 16’shade structure ($8,000 ea)
• 20-foot integrated Shade Sail: $29,000 ea
Fencing:
• Additional cost to enclose older children’s area: $38,000 – credit available if interior fence is removed ($13,000)
Multi-generational items:
• Concrete corn-hole set: $3,000 ea
• Concrete chess/checkers table: $5,000 ea
• Sway Bench: $5,000 ea
• Preschool table: $3,000 ea
• 8-foot Table: $4,000 ea
The above costs are approximate and can vary depending on placement and other factors. There are a variety of pros and cons related to the inclusion of a sand play area in the playground:
Pros:
• Sensory Play and Development:
o Fine Motor Skills: Sand play encourages the development of fine motor skills through digging, scooping, pouring, and molding.
o Sensory Exploration: Provides a rich sensory experience, stimulating touch, sight, and sometimes even smell.
o Imaginative Play: Sparks creativity and imagination as children build castles, dig tunnels, and create their own worlds.
HPP Playground Feedback and Direction
JANUARY 15, 2025
o Cognitive Development: Helps children develop problem-solving skills, spatial awareness, and hand-eye coordination.
• Social Interaction:
o Shared Play: Creates opportunities for children to play together, share toys, and develop social skills like cooperation, communication, and turn-taking. o Community Building: Can be a central gathering place for families in the neighborhood.
Cons:
• Health Concerns:
o Parasites and Bacteria: Sand can harbor parasites (like roundworms and hookworms) and bacteria, potentially leading to infections. o Contamination: Risk of contamination from animal waste, litter, and other debris. • Maintenance:
o Cleaning: Requires regular cleaning and maintenance to remove debris and prevent contamination.
o Safety: Needs to be properly maintained to ensure the safety of children (e.g., free of sharp objects, well-drained).
• Environmental Concerns:
o Dust and Wind: Sand can be blown by the wind, creating dust and potentially causing respiratory issues.
o Erosion: Can contribute to erosion if not properly contained.
Note: These are general considerations. The specific pros and cons may vary depending on factors like the location, climate, and level of maintenance available for the park.
Council feedback and direction is needed regarding the desired components to be included in the project design. An associated increase in the project budget will be needed for project construction.
FISCAL IMPACT
Fiscal impact would be dependent on the items/components/options desired to be incorporated into the project and will be further refined as the design is refined to incorporate the desired options.
GOAL ALIGNMENT
This Report and its contents are in alignment with the following Council Policy Goals:
• Goal Area A – Maintain Fiscal Responsibility
• Goal Area B – Preserve Small Town Character and Quality of Life • Goal Area F – Be Forward-Thinking, Well-Managed, and Well-Planned
POLICY FOCUS
HPP Playground Feedback and Direction
JANUARY 15, 2025
The policy focus for this item is regarding Council direction regarding the type of playground desired at Holbrook-Palmer Park, potential acceptance of a donation to cover the costs of improvement.
PUBLIC NOTICE
Public notification was achieved by posting the agenda, with this agenda item being listed, at least 72 hours prior to the meeting in print and electronically. Information about the project is also disseminated via the Town’s electronic News Flash and Atherton Online. There are approximately 1,200 subscribers to the Town’s electronic News Flash publications. Subscribers include residents as well as stakeholders –to include, but be not limited to, media outlets, school districts, Menlo Park Fire Protection District, service provides (water, power, and sewer), and regional elected officials.
COMMISSION/COMMITTEE FEEDBACK/REFERRAL
This item has not been before a Town Committee or Commission since the Council’s last discussion.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Conceptual Playground Layout
2. Magical Bridge Playground Layout
3. Playground Additional Alternates – Costs and Images