TO: Chair and Members of the Park Planning & Community Events Commission
THRU: Leslie Hardy, Community and Library Services Director
FROM: Robert Ambriz, Jr., Parks & Facilities Manager
1. Subject
title
Selection of Park Playground to be replaced as part of the Playground Equipment Replacement Project through the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Capital Improvement Program
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2. Summary
As part of the Community and Library Services approved Capital Improvement Program, new playground equipment is scheduled to be installed at selected parks each year, based on playground age, condition, and maintenance history, pending budget approval. The scope of the project includes design and engineering, preparation of plans, and installation of the playground equipment. The Park Planning and Community Events Commission is being asked to consider replacement of the lower playground at Eisenhower Park or the Hart Park playground for the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Capital Improvement Project.
3. Recommended Action
recommendation
Select the Eisenhower Park lower playground or the Hart Park playground as part of the Playground Equipment Replacement Project for Fiscal Year 2026-27 Capital Improvement Program.
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4. Fiscal Impact
None
5. Strategic Plan Goals
Goal 3: Quality of Life through City Services
6. Discussion and Background
The typical lifespan of public park playground equipment is approximately 8-12 years. Sixteen parks in Orange have playgrounds (Steve Ambriz Memorial, Fred Barrera, Belmont, Eisenhower, El Camino Real, El Modena, Grijalva, Handy, Hart, Killefer, La Veta, McPherson, Olive, Serrano, and Santiago Hills Parks). Several of these playgrounds have reached or are approaching the end of their useful life. Although staff routinely inspect all playgrounds for safety compliance and have performed numerous repairs and replacement of individual components over the years, many playground structures are exhibiting significant signs of wear and tear and are becoming increasingly costly to maintain.
The purpose of the Playground Equipment Replacement Project is to proactively replace aging playground equipment with modern, safe, accessible, and engaging play environments that better serve today's families. In addition to addressing deteriorating equipment, replacement projects provide opportunities to introduce innovative and inclusive play features that accommodate children of varying ages and abilities while enhancing overall community recreation opportunities.
To establish replacement priorities, staff evaluated playgrounds based upon age, condition, amenities, accessibility, and maintenance history. The lower playground at Eisenhower Park nearest to Bixby Ave. (Attachment) and the playground at Hart Park have been recommended for inclusion in the Fiscal Year 2026-27 (FY27) Playground Equipment Replacement Capital Improvement Program (CIP).
The Eisenhower Park playground (installed in 2003) and Hart Park playground (installed in 2001) contain play equipment that has exceeded its anticipated service life and has required significant resources including maintenance, replacement of parts, and repair efforts over many years to keep the playgrounds operational and compliant with playground safety standards. While these efforts have successfully extended the life of the equipment, continued repairs are becoming less cost-effective as the structures continue to age.
The $800,000 budget for this project has been developed to accommodate replacement of one playground location and includes consideration for associated site improvements, ADA accessibility upgrades, and installation of shade sails where still needed.
Future year appropriations will continue the annual playground replacement project. Staff have also pursued federal funding opportunities through congressional earmark requests and other grant programs to help offset future project costs. Should grant funding become available prior to adoption of future CIP budgets, staff may return to City Council to request advance appropriations and establish required matching funds.
7. ATTACHMENTS
• Eisenhower Park Aerial