Loomis weighs $435,000 shade-sail concept for Blue Anchor Park; council asks staff to explore trees and funding

The Loomis Town Council on Monday reviewed conceptual designs for shade sails at Blue Anchor Park and the Loomis Depot plaza and directed staff to return with a refined concept and budget options.

Landscape designer Dylan Butterbaugh presented a design intended to preserve the historic depot’s sightlines while adding shade at three plaza locations and over picnic and bench areas. Butterbaugh said shade sails would be light-colored to reduce heat absorption and estimated a high-end cost from one manufacturer at about $435,000 to $450,000, noting lower-cost manufacturers exist.

Councilmembers and members of the public questioned durability, warranty and safety. One councilmember pointed out that fabric warranties typically replace defective material but may not include installed labor; another raised safety concerns about children climbing low sails near play equipment. Butterbaugh said typical warranties and fabric choices can yield 10–30 years of life, with 15–20 years commonly achievable, and that footings are the principal cost driver.

Residents urged the council to consider planting mature, full‑size trees as an alternative or complement. Town staff said an on‑call arborist can assess existing trees and soil, and that staff would provide cost comparisons for planting mature trees versus shade structures. Several speakers recommended completing the project in one phase to avoid mismatched materials or dye lots over time; staff and at least one councilmember echoed that a single contract would improve consistency.

Staff noted there is an available park fund balance (described in the budget as a consolidated park development fund) and said approximately $1.1 million in park development mitigation fees is unallocated and could be used for enhancements; staff committed to returning with clearer budget constraints and funding-source details.

Council directed staff to gather follow-up information — including warranty/service scope, grant opportunities, mature‑tree costs, phasing options and definitive funding constraints — and to return early next year with a final concept and budget for council consideration.