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CITY OF GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA
REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM
Report: Wilson Mini Park Playground Replacement Project
1. Motion to approve the final design for the Wilson Mini Park playground.
2. Resolution to dispense with competitive bidding for the purchase of playground equipment and authorize the Deputy Director of Finance – Purchasing or a designee to execute a Purchase Order with KOMPAN California, Inc. (KOMPAN) for the Wilson Mini Park Playground Replacement Project in the amount of $246,597.68, plus a 10% contingency of $24,659.68, for a total amount not to exceed $271,257.36.
COUNCIL ACTION
Item Type: Action Item
Approved for November 18, 2025 calendar
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The playground equipment at Wilson Mini Park has exceeded its recommended lifespan, with original installation dating back to 2008. To meet evolving community needs and comply with current safety and accessibility standards, this site requires a playground replacement and site upgrades. The City has been allocated $300,000 from LA County Regional Park and Open Space District (RPOSD) Measure A Funds to support completion of the playground replacement and site improvements.
Staff collaborated with two vendors to develop four different playground design options and conducted community engagement to determine the new playground design.
Through online survey results—available from June 2 through June 30, 2025—most respondents prefer the “Café and Ice Cream Store” design by KOMPAN California, Inc. (KOMPAN).
To complete project delivery, staff proposes using a national cooperative purchasing organization’s (OMNIA Partners) cooperative contracting process, ensuring contract compliance with public purchasing laws, efficiency with procurement process, and best value.
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RECOMMENDATION
That the City Council approve the design, purchase, and installation of the Wilson Mini Park playground replacement in the amount of $246,597.68, plus a 10% contingency; and dispense with competitive bidding and authorize the Deputy Director of Finance – Purchasing, or a designee, to execute a purchase order with KOMPAN for playground equipment and site improvements, for a total project cost of $300,000.
ANALYSIS
In an ongoing effort by the Community Services & Parks Department (CSP) to provide safe recreational opportunities, facilities, and amenities, CSP is proposing to replace the outdated playground at Wilson Mini Park, originally installed in 2008. The new design will feature modern play equipment with enhanced accessibility, expanded sensory and imaginative play opportunities, and a new poured-in-place (PIP) safety surface.
Integrated shade structures will also be included to improve comfort and usability for park visitors. Additional site improvements include replacement of multiple park tables and benches, replacement of a drinking fountain, additional shade tree plantings, and landscaping enhancements.
CSP recommends that the City Council dispense with the traditional bidding process set forth in Glendale Municipal Code (GMC) Section 4.12.010(A)(1) and 4.12.010(A)(3), and authorize the Deputy Director of Finance – Purchasing, or a designee, to execute a purchase order with KOMPAN for playground equipment and site improvements. This process will result in quicker replacement of the aging playground and selection of the community-preferred design.
This playground replacement project is funded by Los Angeles County 2016 Measure A through the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District (RPOSD).
Measure A Funding:
After Proposition A ended, LA County completed a Parks and Recreation Needs Assessment (PNA), dividing the county into 188 Study Areas to identify park needs. In November 2016, 75% of LA County voters approved the Los Angeles County Safe, Clean Neighborhood Parks and Beaches Measure of 2016 (Measure A) – replacing Proposition A funding – to support parks, recreation, and open space projects/maintenance in perpetuity through a parcel tax that generates over $90 million annually.
Measure A provides funding through two programs: Annual Allocations, based on Study Area formulas, and Competitive Grants open to public agencies, nonprofits, and schools. Glendale benefits through Category 1 (Community-Based Park Investment), which supports projects like park upgrades and safety improvements, and Category 2 (Neighborhood Parks, Healthy Communities & Urban Greening), which focuses on high- need areas such as souths Glendale.
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The City is utilizing Measure A annual allocations for Wilson Mini Park (Category 2) playground replacement project.
Community Engagement:
Staff released an online survey to gather the public’s preferences on playground designs and elements—made available in English, Armenian, and Spanish—from June 2 through June 30, 2025. The online survey featured four (4) playground designs (Exhibit 1), two (2) of which were created by KOMPAN and two (2) by Landscape Structures, Inc.
CSP promoted the Playground Replacement Community Survey through its June 2025 newsletter, social media platforms, and an outreach poster displayed at Wilson Mini Park. The poster showcased the four (4) design options and directed community members to the online survey.
Each of the four (4) proposed designs (“Hideaway Treehouse,” “Cloud Chaser,” “Café and Ice Cream Store,” “Happy Heights Climber”) offer a variety of themed play experiences, sensory features, mobility-friendly elements, and creative shade solutions.
Survey participants were asked to select their preferred design and provide additional comments.
A total of 122 responses were received (Exhibit 1). KOMPAN’s “Café and Ice Cream Store” design received the most support, with 44% of the votes. Feedback was positive, with many respondents highlighting the design’s creativity, accessibility, and unique theme.
A consistent theme in the community feedback was the need for shade and seating.
Many residents emphasized the importance of shaded areas to ensure comfort and safety, along with additional seating for parents within the play space. In response, KOMPAN incorporated a custom shade feature into the play tower structure and added an additional shade element based on site evaluations and the presence of existing trees. KOMPAS also conducted a sun exposure analysis to guide the strategic placement of the shade structure. Additionally, KOMPAN proposed innovative seating solutions that integrate seamlessly into the playground design, enhancing both functionality and aesthetics. These enhancements reflect the community’s input and have been thoughtfully integrated into the evolving design.
Cost Breakdown:
The estimated total cost for the community-preferred playground replacement for Wilson Mini Park is $246,597.68, plus a 10% contingency in the amount of $24,659.76, including demolition and recycling/disposal of the existing equipment, the purchase and installation of new equipment, poured-in-place rubberized safety surfacing, and shade elements.
Following a site assessment, staff identified the need for additional improvements at 9c4
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Wilson Mini Park to address the condition of existing furniture and fixtures. New site tables and benches, a drinking fountain, tree plantings, and landscape enhancements will be planned and procured for the site. These enhancements will improve the park’s visual appeal, and long-term usability and are intended to enhance the visitors experience of this heavily utilized neighborhood park. The cost for these furniture, landscaping and signage will be $28,742.56 ($27,621.67+$1,120.89) and have already been appropriated by the City Council in the project budget.
See cost breakdown below:
Wilson Mini Playground Replacement
Products (Playground, 1 Shade Element) $ 86,355.06
Surfacing $ 45,396.29
Sitework & Installation (Including Security Pole) $ 85,136.64 Freight & Tax $ 28,209.69
CPSI Inspection $ 1,500
Payment & Performance Bond $ 5,388.69
Total Net Cost $ 246,597.68
10% Construction Contingency $ 24,659.76
Site Furniture + Landscape Improvements $ 27,621.67
Signage (Funder + City Regulatory) $ 1,120.89
Total Project Cost $ 300,000.00
The Glendale community was inspired by KOMPAN’s distinctive and imaginative play features, which are designed to foster inclusive play experiences. These elements support a wide range of developmental needs—social-emotional, cognitive, and physical—ensuring engaging opportunities for children of all abilities (Exhibit #3).
Founded in 1970 in Denmark by sculptor Tom Lindhardt, KOMPAN Inc. is a global leader in outdoor play and an OMNIA partner. Lindhardt pioneered the concept of play sculptures, and KOMPAN’s legacy designs continue to offer timeless, imaginative structures that become iconic features in any neighborhood.
Because this playground design was the community’s preferred choice and cannot be replicated by other vendors, staff recommends proceeding with the OMNIA cooperative contracting process without further competitive bidding. OMNIA Partners uses a “lead agency” model where a public agency competitively solicits and awards a master cooperative contract, allowing member organizations (the City has been a registered member of OMNIA Partners since 2012) to use pre-negotiated master contracts to purchase goods and services without having to conduct their own bids, and ensures contract compliance with public purchasing laws, efficiency with procurement process, and best value.
STAKEHOLDERS/OUTREACH
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The new playground design for Wilson Mini Park, prepared by KOMPAN, meet the requests and preferences of the Glendale community. The engagement process, consisting of a public online survey (Exhibit 1), provided the public with four (4) unique playground design concepts to consider for their community.
The public favored KOMPAN’s “Café and Ice Cream Store” for Wilson Mini Park (Exhibit 2), which was presented to the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Commission for its review and recommendation to the City Council for approval. The Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Commission was in support of and approved the recommendation of the community-preferred custom designs proposed by KOMPAN at the August 18, 2025, Commission Meeting.
FISCAL IMPACT
The playground replacement project at Wilson Mini Park will cost $246,597.68, plus a 10% contingency in the amount of $24,659.76.
City Council approved funding in the amount of $300,000 is currently available as follows:
Existing Appropriation
Amount Account String Funding Source
$300,000 GL: 51200-4130-CSP-0020-P0000
PL: CSP01483AG
Measure A
Department Cost Center Program
Community
Services &
Parks
Projects
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW (CEQA/NEPA)
The activity under consideration is categorically exempt either as a Class 1 project pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15301, which consists, among other things, of the operation, repair, maintenance, or minor alteration of existing public structures, facilities, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of former use; or, in the alternative, as a Class 2 project pursuant to section 15302, which consists, among other things, of the replacement of existing structures and facilities where the new structure will be located on the same site as the structure replaced and will have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the structure replaced. In any event, it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment; thus, it is exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3).
CAMPAIGN DISCLOSURE
The names and business addresses of the members of the board of directors, the chairperson, CEO, COO, CFO, Subcontractors and any person or entity with more than 10% interest in the company proposed for contract in this Agenda Item Report are 9c6
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attached in Exhibit 4, in accordance with the City Campaign Finance Ordinance No. 5744.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Alternative 1: Direct CSP to use the traditional bidding process for equipment, installation, and site improvements at Wilson Mini Park. Traditional bidding would extend the bidding schedule and risk additional delays for design and scoping by a consultant. Additionally, this process could limit design options and forgo community-preferred playgrounds.
Alternative 2: The City Council may consider any other alternative not proposed by staff.
ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION
Submitted by:
Onnig Bulanikian, Director of Community Services & Parks Prepared by:
Joseph Gonzalez, Park Planner
Cindy Camberos, Assistant Project Manager
Approved by:
Roubik R. Golanian, P.E., City Manager
EXHIBITS/ATTACHMENTS
Exhibit 1: Survey Results
Exhibit 2: Wilson Mini Park Playground Final Design
Exhibit 3: KOMPAN Product Information
Exhibit 4: Campaign Finance Ordinance Form