04/03/2000 Park Board Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Lino Lakes Public Services Department 600 Town Center Parkway Lino Lakes, MN 55014 (651) 982 -2440 Fax (651) 982 -2439 • March21, 2000 To: Brandywood Park Area Resident From: Rick DeGardner, Public Services Director Re: Karen Nelson Letter Earlier today, I received a letter from Karen Nelson that was distributed to residents in the Brandywood Estates development. There are several statements in the letter that I would like to clarify: "The voting results were not shared at this meeting. However, Mr. DeGardner presented Game Time 2 as the winning choice." Voting results were shared at Mrs. Nelson's request at the meeting. I went back to my office and showed her the comment cards. Numerous factors are taken into consideration when selecting specific playground equipment. Factors include evaluation of quality, durability, safety, equipment longevity, play experience provided, past experience with vendors, ease of installation, resident's input, park board member's input, and park maintenance personnel input. After taking all factors into account, the Game Time 2 proposal was selected. Some specific reasons are as follows: Clamping System Clamps are needed to secure decks, slides, rails, climbing events, etc to the support posts. Miracle uses a 4 piece clamp connected by 3 screws. This type of clamp wraps around the support post and is secured by a single sheer pin. GameTime uses a MegaLoc system. The attachments bolt directly to the factory installed MegaLoc, which is made of precision die -cast aluminum. This results in a 1/4" hardened steel bolt fastened through the support post. Ease of Installation Since the City of Lino Lakes doesn't have Miracle playground equipment, I called other parks and recreation departments. One city indicated that it took them 3 months to install the equipment. They needed assistance from Miracle's main office. Therefore, the recommendation was to have Miracle install any equipment that is purchased. Unfortunately, we don't have the funds to do that. The MegaLoc system ensures exacting platform and component installation since all holes and clamps are installed at the factory. This reduces installation time as much as 50 %. We have installed a few Game Time structures the past few years and have good success installing the structures with neighborhood volunteers. Also, Game Time assumes all liability with the MegaLoc system, even if volunteers assist with installing the structure. The MegaLoc system should result in less future repairs and maintenance than Miracle's clamping system.