Lewis Park Playground Replacement

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Consultation has concluded

Playground equipment with fall trees and leaves

Lewis Park's new playground is now open!

Thanks to everyone who participated in surveys to help choose the equipment, styles and colors. It looks amazing and just like what you chose!

Please stop by and play a while.


If you're new to the project, below is the background:

Lewis Park at 7300 Cahill Road is getting new playground equipment!

The new pieces will replace the existing equipment, in the same spot, in the 21-acre park that also features tennis, soccer and skating.

Results of two public surveys: Ziplines, swings, slides and climbing features topped the list of most-requested features for the new playground. Thank you to the 641 people who responded to our first survey, including the students of Creek Valley Elementary. Those results were compiled and used as the basis for proposals from four playground vendors. Results of the second survey on colors and equipment design was used to select a vendor concept.

Color palette chosen by survey takers: Natural. The colors will be Beige, Butterscotch, Gray, Light Green, Tan and Sky Blue.

Example:

Design concept: Based on resident input from the surveys, staff review and the manufacturing timeline, the below concept (ignore the colors in it) has been chosen. The City Council has approved a $150,000 contract with Minnesota Playground to create and install it.

Installation: Expected late this summer. See the Playground Updates tab below.

Equipment style example (ignore color):

Project goals/process include:

  • Reuse as much of the playground container (perimeter) as possible
  • Include play equipment for age groups 2-5 and 5-12
  • Meet ADA & drainage requirements
  • Replace the pea gravel surface with sustainable wood chips like at Arden Park
  • Work directly with the community throughout the process to ensure concerns and aspirations are consistently understood and considered
  • Select a playground vendor to create at least two design concepts to show residents and receive feedback
  • Make a final design concept recommendation to Edina City Council
Thanks for helping us create a new playground together!

Lewis Park's new playground is now open!

Thanks to everyone who participated in surveys to help choose the equipment, styles and colors. It looks amazing and just like what you chose!

Please stop by and play a while.


If you're new to the project, below is the background:

Lewis Park at 7300 Cahill Road is getting new playground equipment!

The new pieces will replace the existing equipment, in the same spot, in the 21-acre park that also features tennis, soccer and skating.

Results of two public surveys: Ziplines, swings, slides and climbing features topped the list of most-requested features for the new playground. Thank you to the 641 people who responded to our first survey, including the students of Creek Valley Elementary. Those results were compiled and used as the basis for proposals from four playground vendors. Results of the second survey on colors and equipment design was used to select a vendor concept.

Color palette chosen by survey takers: Natural. The colors will be Beige, Butterscotch, Gray, Light Green, Tan and Sky Blue.

Example:

Design concept: Based on resident input from the surveys, staff review and the manufacturing timeline, the below concept (ignore the colors in it) has been chosen. The City Council has approved a $150,000 contract with Minnesota Playground to create and install it.

Installation: Expected late this summer. See the Playground Updates tab below.

Equipment style example (ignore color):

Project goals/process include:

  • Reuse as much of the playground container (perimeter) as possible
  • Include play equipment for age groups 2-5 and 5-12
  • Meet ADA & drainage requirements
  • Replace the pea gravel surface with sustainable wood chips like at Arden Park
  • Work directly with the community throughout the process to ensure concerns and aspirations are consistently understood and considered
  • Select a playground vendor to create at least two design concepts to show residents and receive feedback
  • Make a final design concept recommendation to Edina City Council
Thanks for helping us create a new playground together!
Consultation has concluded

Submit questions about the Lewis Park playground equipment replacement here and City staff will get back to you as soon as they can.

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    Any update on when new playground will go in? I see it's all ready.. We're super excited!

    Jsk asked over 1 year ago

    Yes, we have an update!

    The concrete work is done, and the last of the playground pieces finally arrived in Edina. 

    Installation is scheduled to start the week of Oct. 10, Parks & Recreation Director Perry Vetter says. It isually takes a few days once the work begins. Feel free to stop by and take a look (from a safe distance, of course).

    We'll try to give you an update on when the work will be finished and the playground officially open. 

    Thanks for following so closely. We are eager to hear what you think of the final results.

    Have a great weekend!
    - Debbie Townsend, Communications Coordinator

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    Any update on the playground timeline? Will the city be giving more frequent updates?

    MGM asked over 1 year ago

    Unfortunately, the playground equipment that was ordered in early spring still hasn't been received due to supply chain issues. So we don't have a timeline yet for getting that installed. As soon as we hear something other than that, we will update this project page.
    On the plus side, at the Aug. 16 City Council meeting the Request for Purchase for the playground border container, adjacent walkway, seating and ADA access to the equipment was approved. Riverland Excavating will be doing the $52,761 of site improvements for the playground area.
    We are putting all the pieces in place to move as quickly as possible once we know when the playground equipment will arrive. Hopefully we will have a better update soon.
    - Debbie Townsend, Communications Coordinator

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    Any update on when the new equipment will be installed?

    Jsk asked almost 2 years ago

    As of July 1, the playground pieces still had not shipped. Parks & Recreation Director Perry Vetter is in regular communication with the vendor, who is dealing with the same supply chain issues as other industries. As of now, we do not have an installation date. As soon as we have one, we will update this project site and notify the neighborhood via City Extra emails and Nextdoor. We know the kids are eager to see and try out the playground they helped create.
    - Debbie Townsend, Communications Coordinator

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    Hi! What is the expected timeframe for starting and completing the new playground? We’re excited!

    LD asked about 2 years ago

    Good question. We don't have an installation schedule yet, but it is planned for this summer. Those same supply chain issues that plague other products also affect playground materials. As soon as we have a schedule, we will do an update. Good news is the removal and installation tends to be quick, so once it starts it only takes a few days.
    - Debbie Townsend, Communications Coordinator

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    I realized after I finished the survey that there wasn’t a section for input on what the ground cover will be. The pebbles are one of our least favorite things about the Lewis Park playground — our kids get covered in dust as a result. It would be great to change to something other than pebbles with this change!

    Jamie Glover asked over 2 years ago

    Hi Jamie,

    That's a great question. The current pea gravel surface is going away! It will be replaced by wood chips. They don't get jammed in everything like the gravel or create the dust problem. They are also sustainable so when they end up in the grass they just get chopped up in the mowing and add to the soil. 

    Tom Swenson, Assistant Director - Parks & Natural Resources Parks & Recreation, passed along those details. He said most adults and kids far prefer the wood chip surface. If you want a preview of it, please visit Arden Park, where it was installed as part of that playground project.

    I've added the playground surface change to the project details, because I'm sure others share your question. Thanks again for asking.

    - Debbie Townsend, Communications Coordinator