FRENCHMAN'S CREEK PLAYGROUND

Additional information - FAQs

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• Why should you support this project?

  • Having a playground in Frenchman's Creek increases home values and provides a safe, ADA accessible playground for all of our children, which is needed now more than ever. ​

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• Why does it cost so much to install the playground?

  • The installation cost is a combination of several factors –

    • First and foremost construction continues to be competitive and expensive. 

    • It’s hard to find qualified contractors willing to come to HMB, especially for specialized work.

    • This design is very specialized construction (the rubberized surfaces, etc) and is not something that any general contractor could do.

    • Any City project legally has to be completed using workers paid prevailing union wages, which always increases the cost compared to a private installation.

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• Why can't people volunteer to assist? 

  • Specialized construction work coupled with prevailing wage requirements make this a challenge. 

  • These rules are stricter now that when other parks (like Ocean View in Alsace Lorraine, etc.) were built in the past.

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• Where did the funding that was allocated to this project originally go? ​

  • In February of 2020, the City signed a contact with Miracle Playsystems for the equipment and installation of the new Frenchman's Creek Playground costing approximately $83K. 

    • The City purchased the new equipment at that time spending approximately $40K for the equipment.  

  •  In March of 2020 all City capital projects were put on hold due to COVID-19 challenges.  Budgets were cut to keep the City running (positions were cut and staff were furloughed).

  • As lots of revenue was lost, it will take some time for the City's budget to recover from all of these challenges. 

• This is when Friends of Half Moon Bay Parks and Recreation decided to step in to help fundraise for the Playground.  The cost now to install the playground is almost $50K.  

  • The City will attempt to include funding for this project in the FY 2021-22 Capital Budget, which could allow installation after July 1, 2021.

  • Any funds raised could expedite the project to get it completed this year and allow the City to use funding towards other projects. If more than $50k is raised, the City could begin additional phases for the park.

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• What is the timeline for this project?

  • If funding can be raised now, this play structure installation could be completed by early summer.  If funds are not raised, we will need to wait until funds are available again -- late summer or early fall at the earliest.  

  • Timelines for Phase 2 & 3 are TBD.​

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