Administrative
Report
N.1., File # 25-1525 Meeting Date: 12/2/2025
To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: ELIZABETH HAUSE, COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR
TITLE
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING DESIGN OF THE FRANKLIN PARK
PLAYGROUND REPLACEMENT PROJECT
APPROVE THE PROPOSED DESIGN OF THE FRANKLIN PARK PLAYGROUND REPLACEMENT
PROJECT AND DIRECT STAFF TO PREPARE A CORRESPONDING AGREEMENT WITH
GAMETIME FOR PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF THE NEW PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City Council allocated $500,000 in the FY 2024-25 Adopted Budget to replace the existing Franklin Park playground equipment with what would be the City’s first all-abilities play space, developed with guidance from a diverse stakeholder group of community members, disability advocates, therapists, park users, and Public Amenities Commissioners. The proposed design fits within the Park’s existing playground footprint and features inclusive elements such as ramps, sensory panels, climbers, a platform rocker, and additional perimeter activities, coordinated with existing amenities near the area. The Public Amenities Commission reviewed and supports the project and offered input for consideration by the City Council. Pending approval of the design and execution of a contract with GameTime, the new equipment would be installed by Summer 2026.
BACKGROUND
The CIP Budget includes funding to replace the aging playground equipment at Franklin Park with an all-abilities playground structure. This would be the City’s first inclusive playground for children with disabilities and other developmental challenges. To help guide the design of this unique play space, staff along with Councilmember Kaluderovic, whose district includes Franklin Park, convened a stakeholder group of community members with meaningful ties to the project. The group included park users; occupational therapists and other developmental professionals; parents and family members of children with disabilities that frequent the park; a representative from the Friendship Foundation, which is currently in the process of building a facility adjacent to the park that will provide services for those with special needs; and Public Amenities Commissioners serving on the Franklin Park Playground Subcommittee, including Commissioners Lang, Caldwell, and Galassi. The stakeholder group has met throughout the past few months to develop and refine a play space that is engaging, provides a variety of elements that will appeal to children of all abilities, and takes advantage of the limited space that is available for its installation.
Proposed Design
The recommended design maintains the current footprint of the existing playground and will not
N.1., File # 25-1525 Meeting Date: 12/2/2025
The recommended design maintains the current footprint of the existing playground and will not impact or limit other areas of the park. It includes a variety of features on the main structure, including low-level ramping, slides, a platform rocker, climbers, and sensory boards. Additional stand -alone elements were selected for the perimeter of the play space to fit as many engaging pieces in the area as possible, including a spinner, sensory panels including chimes, and a colorful shadowcasting feature. An aerial diagram of the proposed play space and additional images are included as attachments to this report for reference.
The colors of the playground were carefully selected to be inviting and fun, but not too bright for those with visual sensitivities. The blue shade structures surrounding the play area are existing and would coordinate perfectly with the large shade structure in the center of the playground to develop a cohesive layout. The surrounding shade structures were provided by the same vendor, GameTime, so the design and colors will match seamlessly.
Los Angeles Kings Donation
The LA Kings Foundation (Kings) has graciously donated $75,000 to be used towards this project.
Staff has worked closely with Kings representatives to develop an added component to the playground that is both interactive and provides a branding opportunity for the Kings. Proposed throughout the playground, is a series of Kings crowns and paw prints to represent the LA Kings mascot, Bailey. Children could participate in a scavenger hunt in the playground area to find all images, which would add an additional opportunity for inclusive play for children of all abilities. As an example, the image below shows the crowns on poles. Please note that this image does not represent the final placement for these items, but is merely used to illustrate the concept.
N.1., File # 25-1525 Meeting Date: 12/2/2025
CPRS Project Grant
Additionally, the City obtained a grant from GameTime and the California Parks and Recreation Society (CPRS) that will provide a 50% discount off of the cost of the new playground equipment.
Specific to the elements included in the proposed all-abilities design, the grant would provide a $99,060 discount, which is reflected in the $390,000 net cost quote provided by GameTime for the project.
The proposed playground is consistent with the terms of the grant, which requires the use of GameTime equipment. Since the existing shade structures surrounding the play area are GameTime products, sole sourcing of the playground equipment to GameTime would provide consistency, both in the actual products and in the aesthetic of the entire play space. Staff has been happy with its partnership with GameTime at Franklin Park and is confident that GameTime would provide a quality, cost effective, high-value playground for the community.
Public Amenities Commission Input
The Public Amenities Commission (Commission) reviewed the proposed design at its regular meeting on Wednesday, November 12, 2025. Overall, the Commission supported the project and provided the following input for Council consideration:
· Consider adding the City logo on the side of the Rock with Me platform rocker · Consider adding signage regarding history of the park as well as information regarding the renovation project
· Update the City website to highlight the uniqueness of the park and feature the new playground
· Consider adding climbing elements to the playground to add additional variety for children of
N.1., File # 25-1525 Meeting Date: 12/2/2025
· Consider adding climbing elements to the playground to add additional variety for children of all abilities
· Ensure drinking fountains throughout the park are functioning and update, as needed.
Project Timeline
It is estimated that the project will follow a five-to-six-month timeline following contract execution (estimated for consideration of approval in January), barring unforeseen shipping or installation delays. It takes six to eight weeks for the equipment to be manufactured, several weeks for delivery, and five to six weeks for demolition and installation to be completed. Considering other active projects and scheduling priorities, staff anticipates the playground to be replaced by summer 2026.
Staff will work closely with GameTime to expedite the installation timeline, wherever possible.
Staff recommends the City Council approve the proposed Franklin Park playground design and return at a subsequent meeting with the contract for GameTime to manufacture and install the new playground, inclusive of playground surfacing.
COORDINATION
The Community Services Department coordinated with the Public Works Department to develop this item.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Franklin Park Capital Improvement Project Budget, Account #102, includes $500,000 for the replacement of playground equipment. The cost provided by GameTime for the demolition of the existing playground equipment and surfacing, manufacturing of the new structure and equipment, and installation of the new equipment and surfacing is for a net amount of $390,000, including an offset of $99,060 for the CPRS grant obtained by the City. Additionally, the City received a $75,000 donation from the LA Kings Foundation, which further reduces the total project cost to the City, leaving approximately $185,000 in the Project Budget for other park improvements.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
· Proposed Franklin Park Playground Aerial Diagram
· Proposed Franklin Park Playground Conceptual Images