Neighborhood Parks | Play
This project has been split into three components; playgrounds, multi-sport courts, and spray features. Under this plan, Emeis, Harbor Road, Lafayette and Whalen Parks are being recommended to receive new playgrounds. Cork Hill, Herington, and Van Buren Parks are being recommended to receive multi-sport courts. Locations being recommended to see new spray features are Cork Hill Park and the former Dohse Pool site.
After receiving designs for the respective playgrounds, staff visited Fillmore, Hayes, and Jefferson Elementary Schools to let the students choose which playground they liked the best. This provided a unique experience that allowed for input from the users. As the designs come back for the multi-sport courts and spray features, additional community input opportunities will be scheduled.
The new playground features are expected to be installed in fall of 2022 to allow for the continued usage of the existing playgrounds throughout the summer. Spray features and multi-sport courts are currently expected to be installed over the summer and fall of 2022 with an opening expected for spring of 2023.
MSL | Destination Play & Event Lawn
Twelve firms from throughout the country submitted proposals outlining their qualifications to successfully design the Destination Play Area & Event Lawn. Following staff evaluations, five of the twelve firms were invited to meet with a selection committee comprised of staff and stakeholders. Leaning on their experience, selected firms were tasked with further explaining how they would conceptualize, build consensus, and provide solutions to address constrains such as the Canadian Pacific Rail Line and the Mississippi River, should they be awarded the contract. Staff plans to recommend an architecture and engineering firm for City Council consideration the first cycle in May.
Public Wi-Fi Hot Spots
At the March 23rd City Council meeting, the City Council approved a contract with Metronet to install and maintain free public Wi-Fi hotspots/zones at Centennial, Cork Hill, Herington, Emeis, and Fejervary Parks. These parks were selected based on usage and location in proximity to a Qualified Census Tract. Wireless access will be limited to a common area located in each selected park and identified by signage. Installation is anticipated to begin sometime this summer. As education, health services and social connections move online, it is important to seek options to promote outdoor activity while still meeting the demand of connectivity. Indianapolis, IN, Albuquerque, NM, and Sacramento, CA are also using ARPA funding to provide free public Wi-Fi in City parks.
Fairmount Library Community Center
The Discovery Phase of the Fairmount Library Community Center will kick off on Wednesday, April 27th, staff and stakeholders will come together to begin envisioning the purpose of the building, who it will serve, and what it will look like. A series of community outreach events are set to follow in the months of May and June. These events will include obtaining input from key user groups and stakeholders to ensure that the wants and needs of the residents are heard and incorporated into the overall scope and design of the project. Results of these various input sessions will be present in July 2022.
MLK Plaza Contribution
The Friends of MLK have obtained a conceptual design, as well as construction documents, and are preparing to proceed with obtaining bids to construct this outdoor gathering area. In tandem with these efforts, a fundraising campaign has kicked off to help ensure the sustainability of the asset. Please see additional media coverage of the kick-off here: https://www.kwqc.com/2022/01/17/friends-mlk-unveil-davenport-park-honor-dr-martin-luther-king-jr/ Further information on the Friends of MLK organization can be found here: https://www.fomlk.com/.