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MINUTES <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />OCTOBER 4, 2012 <br />condition. Sanders indicated that each playground structure would be <br />looked. He indicated that it would be nice to use more current designs to <br />supplement the existing equipment, if that is possible. Sanders felt <br />supplementing the existing equipment would be the right approach. That <br />would include avoiding major renovations of existing curbing. The Parks <br />& Rec Director indicated that the attempt would be to work within the <br />existing footprint, but pointed out that there is a lot of new equipment that <br />is more interesting, i.e. climbing walls. Blesener reported that he toured <br />some parks, some of which were in Shoreview. In talking to one of the <br />Shoreview parks people, he indicated that climbing walls are difficult for <br />younger children. Sanders indicated that the Commission would review <br />each structure and available new equipment. Blesener felt that the <br />approach should be to maintain and enhance what we have, not total <br />replacement. <br />Heikke asked if current accessibility standards would have to be met if any <br />changes are made to playground equipment. Sanders indicated that the <br />current accessibility materials are very expensive. McGraw asked what <br />work would trigger the need for compliance with current accessibility <br />standards. Sanders replied that, to a limited extent, our playground <br />equipment is compliant with handicapped accessibility standards. Any <br />new equipment that is purchased will be compliant. The Parks & Rec <br />Director indicated that he would check to determine if any equipment <br />changes will trigger complete ADA compliance, but he did not think so. <br />Sanders indicated that the surfacing material would be the issue and some <br />of the surfacing may have to be upgraded to either wood chips or padded <br />concrete. The padded concrete is expensive, with Sanders noting that <br />there is some in Nadeau Park. <br />Maida again suggested the stationary fitness equipment as an addition to <br />the parks. He noted that this equipment would invite parents /adults into <br />the parks. <br />Sanders also suggested that in addition to the playground upgrades that <br />some aesthetic improvements be considered for the parks. The City <br />Administrator asked if $50,000 was an adequate amount to cover <br />playground equipment upgrades and aesthetic improvements. Sanders felt <br />it was provided that existing curbing is utilized. Sanders also indicated <br />that he felt it was a reasonable approach to replace some of the equipment <br />and retain the traditional pieces that are in good shape. Blesener stated <br />that he did not support replacing traditional equipment that was in good <br />shape with same -style equipment. <br />Heikke suggested that each park should have some different playground <br />features to give people options. <br />4 <br />