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CITY OF
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Agenda Item Review Form
Muskegon City Commission
Commission Meeting Date: June 10, 2025 Title: Kruse Park Nature Scape Playground Award
Submitted by: Kyle Karczewski, Parks and Department: DPW- Parks
Recreation Director
Brief Summary:
Staff requests approval to enter into a contract with Nature Playscapes in the amount of $152,597 for
a "nature scape" playground at Kruse Park based on their innovation, sustainability, qualifications and
experience building nature scapes in Michigan.
Detailed Summary & Background:
Through our park master planning efforts, the community identified Kruse Park as the perfect location
for a Nature Scape Playground. A nature scape playground (also known as a natural playground or
nature-based play area) is a play environment that uses natural elements—such as trees, rocks, sand,
water, logs, and native plants—instead of traditional playground equipment like plastic slides and
metal swings. Natural materials (wood, boulders, plants, soil), unstructured elements that encourage
creative play (e.g., tree stumps for jumping, logs for balancing}, integration with the natural
landscape, and design reflecting the local ecosystem emphasize open-ended play rather than fixed
play. Several proposals provided a nice playground design but failed to represent a true natural
playground. Out of the 4 bids we received, Nature Playscapes shows the most innovative and
sustainable design that fits into the natural playground criteria. This playground was budgeted at
$160,000. The bid tab is shown below.
Nature Playscapes - $152,927
Kinetic Recreation - $149,457
Park Vision - $149,535
WeBuildFun - $93,768
Goal/Focus Area/Action Item Addressed:
Key Focus Areas:
Enhanced Parks and Recreation Department and Services
Goal/Action Item:
2027 Goal 1: Destination Community & Quality of Life
Amount Requested: Budgeted Item:
$152,927 Yes x | No N/A
Fund(s) or Account(s): Budget Amendment Needed:
445 (Public Improvement) Yes No x | N/A
Recommended Motion:
Move to approve staff to enter into a contract with Nature Playscapes in the amount of $152,597 for
a "nature scape” playground at Kruse Park based on their innovation, sustainability, qualifications and
experience building nature scapes in Michigan.
Approvals: Guest(s) Invited / Presenting:
Immediate Division X
Head No
Information
Technology
Other Division Heads
Communication
Legal Review
BID FORM
Design ¢ 2,850
Play Equipment ¢ 88,390
Construction/Install/Site Prep $52,487
Surface Material ¢ 9,200
Other: $
Other: $
Total cost of materials, installation and site work
7 $ 152,927* TOTAL
(if desired, one component can be
downsized to bring total cost to $150k)
Company Name: Nature Playscapes
Address; 6338 Lovers Lane
Portage, MI 49002
Phone: 269-598-5383
Email: Tricla@NaturePlayscapes.com
Signature/Date: ly
Title; CE @)
Printed Name: Tricia Keala
Project Schedule: If awarded by June 11, anticipated project schedule is October/November 2025.
*Refer to separate proposal for options Add-on features noted on the site plan.
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