Page School Playground Replacement Project: Status Update #1
Page School Playground Replacement Project
Status Update #1
Press Release
May 7, 2021
The Town of West Newbury with Community Preservation Act funding authorized by Town Meeting will be replacing the outdated playground equipment at the Page School. This project received overwhelming support by our residents with a focus on building a playground that would be available to users of all abilities.
Our first step to building the best playground that will meet our needs is to choose a design/build team that specializes in accessible playground design. Earlier this year we released a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to potential designers that outlines a scope of work that would meet our playground needs and vision.
From our RFQ solicitation, we received three playground designer proposals. The proposals are posted to the Town website and viewable online at: https://www.wnewbury.org/community-preservation-committee. All three proposals will be publicly presented (Zoom online meeting) by the designers. The presentations will provide guidance and public input to help determine the most advantageous playground designer who meets or exceeds the Town’s expectations.
Each playground designer presentation will be no more than 30-minutes with an additional 25 minutes for questions and answers. The presentations will take place on Wednesday, May 19th from 2pm to 5pm. The Zoom link to each presentation is listed in this release and is also published to the calendar on the Town website and Facebook account.
At the end of these presentations, residents will be welcome to email, write or phone in their comments to the Playground Designer Selection Working Group which will review and discuss these comments with Town and School Staff, and use this input to assist in determining the selected playground designer. These comments should be received prior to the anticipated selection date of May 28. The Playground Designer Selection Working Group can be contacted at:
Michael McCarron
E-mail: townclerk@wnewbury.org
Phone : 978-363-1100 extension 110
Wayne Amaral
E-mail: dpwdirector@wnewbury.org
Phone: 978-363-1100 extension 120
The selected playground designer will be informed by the Town and given a few weeks to prepare a more detailed, design that incorporates comments received from their original presentation, along with additional follow-up comments by Town and School Staff and residents. This design will then be reviewed by Town and School Staff and a final version that meets our vision will be presented (virtually) for a final public review.
When we believe we have the best playground design, Town Staff will prepare a contract with a vendor who can supply and install the equipment. At the same time, we will also be contracting with a civil engineering firm to prepare site plans for the surface work required prior to building the playground. The engineering could take four to six weeks. Our goal is to have our playground installed before the first day of school in September, however with COVID-19 challenges regarding labor, equipment availability and shipping our schedule may be delayed for reasons beyond our control. These challenges will not stop us from building a state-of-the-art playground that is friendly to all users, it will only push us harder to complete this project for the children of West Newbury.
The virtual Designer Presentation Zoom information links for the three designers are listed below. All are welcome!
- John LaRue
Wednesday, May 19 at 2pm
Topic: Page School Playground Designer Selection Presentation - John LaRue
Time: May 19, 2021 02:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/96584441698
Dial by your location
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
- UltiplayUS
Joe McMahon
Wednesday, May 19 at 3pm
Topic: Page School Playground Designer Selection Presentation - UltiPlayUS
Time: May 19, 2021 03:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/98938190348
Dial by your location
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
- O’Brien and Sons
Colin Boutin
Wednesday, May 19 at 4pm
Topic: Page School Playground Designer Selection Presentation – O’Brien and Sons
Time: May 19, 2021 04:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
Dial by your location
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
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