Sunset Park, commonly known as the “toddler park” in west Carson City, will be getting an upgraded new playground if its consent agenda item is approved Thursday — but according to its construction plans, Carson City Parks, Recreation and Open Space is also planning to remove three of its large trees in the process.
According to construction plans provided to Carson Now by the Carson City Parks, Recreation and Open Space Division, the park upgrades include an all-new playground, benches and park tables, landscaping, an ADA accessible ramp, and musical play instruments.
Two of the trees shade the playground, while one — a pine tree — is in the center of the established garden near the corner of the park.
One of the trees is beneath a power line, and has been getting interesting haircuts over the past few decades to keep the branches away from the line. It’s also growing at the very edge of the park’s perimeter, and its roots may be impacting the concrete sidewalk.
However, neither the tree removal, the construction plans nor the park upgrades have actually been presented publicly, so it’s not known exactly what the reason or justification is for removing each, or why the elements for the playground were chosen. From a cursory search of public agendas, it does not appear that any formal plans for the park upgrade has ever come before a public body in Carson City for consideration.
Instead, what is coming before the board on Thursday is possible action to accept a construction company as being the lowest bid for the job. It was submitted on the consent agenda — which means unless a Supervisor specifically pulls it for discussion, there will be no public discussion of the park plans.
If approved, the cost for the construction project within the park will be around $457,000. Staff is recommending assigning the contract to Garden Shop Landscape Nursery Division, Inc.
Plan specifics
Adding
Under the construction plan, the current playground will be removed including the play equipment, tables, benches and swing.
In its place will be the installation for rubberized pad, a “Geoplex 3-spoke tower with cables” for ages 5 – 12, what appears to be spaceship-themed playground equipment for ages 2-5, musical equipment and a new swing set, along with two picnic tables and three benches. An ADA accessible ramp will go from the sidewalk into the playground as well.
A new planting area will go in where the current garden is, and with it, a dwarf catalpa tree and a western redbud.
Removing
Three of the trees surrounding the playground will be removed, while the remaining shade trees will be left alone.
The current garden, tree and sign will be demolished, and a slate of new plants — including a number of pollinator friendly perennials — will take their place along with a new Sunset Park sign. Replacing the trees will be a dwarf Catalpa tree and four ornamental Western Redbud shrub/deciduous trees.
The wood chips will also be removed from the playground, and replaced with rubberized mat material either concrete or asphalt. One and a half inch river rock will be placed in all planting areas, and all “boulders” within the current garden area will be removed and relocated.
