HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 8848INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS NO. 8848
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
June 12, 2007
.,►sa Page 1 of 2
r
SUBJECT: PROTOTYPE SPLASH PAD SITE
sts
The purpose of this informal report is to notify the City Council of staffs recommendation to move
forward with the design and construction of a Splash Pad at Sycamore Park. On August 3, 2006,
staff made a presentation to City Council concerning the status of aquatic recreation facilities
operated and maintained by the Parks and Community Services Department (PACS). Based on
the current condition of the facilities, staff recommended at that time to close of all pools with the
exception of Forest Park due to ever increasing cost to operate and maintain the antiquated
facilities. Council directed staff to continue operation of all pools but to enlist the services of a
consultant to conduct an Aquatic Recreation Master Plan and Pool Study. In addition to the
study, at the request of the City Council, the consultant was also to develop plans for a prototype
Splash Pad to be installed at one of the existing pool facilities.
On January 9, 2007, City Council authorized the City Manager to execute a professional services
agreement with Kimley -Horn to conduct this study and develop plans for a prototype Splash Pad
(M &C C- 21931). Since that time, staff has been in the process of selecting an appropriate site to
construct this first Splash Pad. Major consideration was given to those facilities associated with
Community Centers since they have the greatest opportunity for additional programming and
usage. These locations also have sufficient parking to accommodate additional users based on
the popularity of this new and innovative feature. Pools located adjacent to Community Centers
include Hillside, Sycamore, and Sylvania. Hillside was renovated in 1994 and is the most up to
date facility of the three and for this reason staff narrowed the selection to Sylvania and
Sycamore Parks. Sycamore Park has a slightly higher percentage of youth under the age of 14,
27.02 % compared to Sylvania Park at 24.98 %. Based on this information, staff directed the
consultant to move forward with detailed design of a prototype Splash Pad for this location.
Construction of the facility is expected to be completed by March 2008 barring any unforeseen
issues or obstacles.
Funding for construction of the Splash Pad was to come from Gas Well Royalty Revenues at an
estimated cost of $550,000 and was noted in a memo to City Council dated April 17, 2007. The
memo included a list of PACS projects previously recommended for funding from gas revenues.
However, the Housing Department recently notified staff from PACS of the need to expedite the
expenditure of previously allocated CDBG funds in order to meet federal guidelines. The Housing
Department will soon forward an M &C to the City Council to request reallocation of CDBG funding
(originally allocated for improvements to Gateway Park) to fund construction of the Splash Pad at
Sycamore Park. Staff will request the Gas Well Revenues originally earmarked for the Splash
Pad be instead used to replace the CDBG funding for improvements to Gateway Park. This
scenario will ensure expenditure of CDBG funds by the federally mandated deadline of March,
2008. Improvements for Gateway Park will take place at a later date.
As for the Aquatic Recreation Master Plan and Pool Study, the consultant has completed an audit
of all seven pools and presented staff with a draft report which is currently being reviewed. A
third public meeting and separate work session with the Parks and Community Services Advisory
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 8848
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
June 12, 2007
Page 2 of 2
r
SUBJECT: PROTOTYPE SPLASH PAD SITE
rs1'a
Board is scheduled for June 14, 2007 in the Iris Room at the Deborah Beggs Moncrief Garden
Center. The public meeting is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. The final report is scheduled for
completion later this summer.
If you have any questions concerning this project, please contact Melody Mitchell, Acting Director
at 817- 871 -5711.
Charles R. Boswell
City Manager
� "I
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
0 '
■