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Politics & Government

Playground Equipment In North Tyrol Park Will Be Replaced

City Council votes to accept the lowest bid to replace what was destroyed in the May 22 tornado.

Playground equipment in North Tyrol Park that was destroyed by a fallen tree during the May 22 tornado will be replaced.

The Golden Valley City Council last week approved a bid to replace the equipment.

The equipment will be replaced with like items.

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Before the vote, Council Member Paula Pentel asked staff if there had been any public participation or discussion around the future of North Tyrol Park. Though at a previous city manager's meeting the council discussed this as an opportunity to rethink the park’s design, staff and the Parks Department decided to move renovation efforts forward without a public input.

“We’re looking at replacing equipment. But it was also staff in the field looking at, since there was no more shade in the park, how do things work to plant new trees?” said City Manager Tom Burt.  “There wasn’t a public participation process.”

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The Council accepted the lowest bid for the equipment from Play Power/Flanagan Sales in St. Paul for $34,248. The bid includes removing the old equipment and installing the new play area and ground cover. Burt stated that the price for the equipment has risen since the city first installed it several years ago.

Costs for replacement of the equipment will be submitted to FEMA. Mark Kuhnly, chief of fire and inspections, said the city has been in contact with FEMA on how to correctly apply for the funds. He thinks that the city should hear from FEMA in the next several months.

If FEMA does not approve the expense, the city will pay for the replacement equipment through other means. It has been submitted to the city's insurance company. Any remaining costs will be covered by the park section of the Capital Improvement Program.

The Parks Commission hopes to have the new playground equipment installed in the next four to six weeks.

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