Council favors $630,000 poured-in-place playground and a Greensfield 'Ninja' course at Braylon/Bridal Rec Center

City recreation staff presented four playground design and price-point options for the Braylon (Bridal) Recreational Center and proposed adding an innovative Greensfield Ninja course adjacent to the playground.

Recreation Director Harold Layton walked council through four price points: a $500,000 mulch-surface concept, a $630,000 poured-in-place option, a $750,000 themed/dinosaur model and a $1,000,000 option. Layton said the recreation advisory group vetted multiple options and recommended these four price points. He also presented a Greensfield Ninja course priced at about $299,008 for equipment plus installation; Layton said Greensfield offered a $40,000 grant/discount toward that element.

Councilmembers discussed accessibility, maintenance and lifespan. Several members favored the poured-in-place surfacing for ADA and lower maintenance. A number of council members said combining the $630,000 poured-in-place playground with the Ninja course (with an optional 40-meter sprint lane) would meet needs for older youth and broaden the city’s recreational offerings. Council asked staff to return with refined pricing, lead times and options for add-ons and shade, and to consider how the project interacts with other SPOS/SPOS-like funds already allocated to parks work.

No final purchase was approved at this meeting; council directed staff to return with final numbers and options for decision at a future meeting.