04/03/2000 Park Board Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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• March 16, 2000 Subject: Brandywood Estates Playground Dear Brandywood Estates Neighbors, • • rie/ 9.-&10 pia f e. u--t, c,'o) Apo 1 t in As some of you know, a playground is being installed in the open play area this summer. Some of you may have gotten a letter asking if you were interested in having a playground and asking for volunteers because that would hold costs down, which would allow us to get more equipment. Then in March, another letter was sent informing residents that there would be proposals for viewing and again, asking for volunteers. As I read this letter I understood it to mean that proposals were already chosen for the neighborhood and one would get picked depending on how many volunteers came forward. About twelve other families I have spoken to got the some understanding from the letter. However, there were 5 proposals on display (3 different companies) with a ballot box for neighbors to vote for their preferred choice. A total of six votes were cast. Below are the results of the voting. Miracle Option 1 Miracle O tion 2 1 vote 2 votes Game Time 1 Game Time 2 little Tikes 1 vote 2 votes 0 votes As you can see Miracle Option 2 and Game Time 2 tied for first place. Looking at the whole picture as well, the votes were still tied between the two companies: Miracle Options and Game Time. I attended the Monday, March 13', meeting along with three other neighbors. Rick DeGardner, Public Relations Director, led the meeting. The voting results were not shared at this meeting. However, Mr. DeGardner presented Game Time 2 as the winning choice. The meeting was to choose colors for the structures and make any final comments regarding the park. During the meeting Mr. DeGardner tried to push bright colors for the playground structure. However, most of us attending felt that neutral colors would be inviting yet not an eyesore for the neighbors that border the park. I had spoken to four other neighbors that couldn't attend this meeting to get their feelings on color choices to bring their input to this meeting. They preferred neutral colors as well. Therefore, it was decided during this meeting that neutral colors would be best for Brandywood Park. There was voiced some concern with the safety of some parts of the main structure in regards to some breaks in the railings that open to metal climbing pieces. There was a concern that it lacked activities for a wide age range of children. In addition, Mr. DeGardner conveyed the feeling that Game Time was promoting the "dragon ", which is part of the play structure, and as a result, there would be extras. It was not clear if the extras were more equipment or a discount. He also told us that the gravel part of the path, near the bridge was going to be paved. However, the half court basketball is not going to be installed and there are no plans for it in the "foreseeable future." After leaving the meeting, a few neighbors felt uncomfortable with how this selection was taking place and had concerns with some of the equipment and lack of some equipment. I called Mr. DeGardner on Tuesday, March 14. It was during this phone conversation that the