Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: 4/5ths_
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Hannah Ormshaw, Parks Director
Subject: Measure K: First Amendment to the Agreement with Jensen Landscape Contractor, LLC and an Appropriation Transfer Request for the design and construction of the Flood Park Playground
RECOMMENDATION:
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Recommendation to:
A) Measure K: Adopt a resolution authorizing the President of the Board of Supervisors to execute an amendment to the agreement with Jensen Landscape Contractor, LLC (“Jensen”) for the design and construction of the Flood Park Playground, to amend the agreement’s scope of services to include the construction and installation of additional safety features, and to increase the amount payable under the agreement by $540,000.00 for a new total amount not to exceed $4,640,000.00.
B) Approve an Appropriation Transfer Request to transfer appropriations from the Parks Department’s General Fund in the amount of $494,485 for the additional scope of construction of the Flood Park Playground, with the remaining $45,515 in contingency funded by the Department’s Capital Projects Fund.
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BACKGROUND:
Flood County Park (“Flood Park”) is a 21-acre County-owned and operated park that is located in the City of Menlo Park. Founded in 1937, Flood Park has served the recreational needs of residents of southern San Mateo County for over 85 years. In 2014, the San Mateo County Parks Department (“Department”) assessed the condition of Flood Park’s facilities and determined that a comprehensive overhaul of the park was warranted. This led to the creation of the Realize Flood Park Project, a multi-year public engagement process that resulted in a landscape plan for the modernization of Flood Park.
The Realize Flood Park Landscape Plan, adopted by the Board of Supervisors on July 26, 2022, proposes several new amenities at the park. Phase 1 of the project included a multi-use sports field, two tennis/pickleball courts, a basketball court, two sand volleyball courts, a pump track, and 28 redesigned picnic and reservation sites. Amenities constructed in Phase 1 fully opened to the public in June 2025.
Phase 2 of the Project entails the new Flood Park playground and renovations to the restroom buildings. In February 2024, the Department initiated the public design process for the new Flood Park playground. Through the engagement process, the public expressed a desire for an inclusive playground that provides a range of play experiences at varying challenge levels.
The Department elected to use the Public Contract Code’s Design-Build delivery method for Phase 2 of the Project. On May 20, 2025, this Board adopted Resolution No. 081150 which authorized an agreement (the “Agreement”) with Jensen Landscape Contractor, LLC (“Jensen”)-the same firm which constructed Phase 1 of the Realize Flood Park Project-to complete Phase 2 of the Project, in an amount not to exceed $4,100,000, with construction anticipated to be completed by the summer of 2026.
DISCUSSION:
Phase 2 construction began in July 2025. Due to unforeseen changes in design and safety considerations that needed to be addressed, project change orders have exceeded the contract’s not-to-exceed amount (including contingencies). In particular, the Department identified the need to install shade sails over the playground, particularly the flat metal slides, to mitigate potential heat impact and safety concerns.
The Department thus desires to enter into this First Amendment to the Agreement, which amends the Agreement’s scope of services to authorize Jensen to design and construct these necessary but unanticipated modifications to Phase 2 of the Project. The proposed First Amendment to the Agreement increases the amount payable under the Agreement by $540,000.00 for a new total amount not to exceed $4,640,000.00, so that these additional Project components may be completed. This additional amount reflects the estimated cost of the additional labor (approximately 255 days) and materials necessary to design, construct, and install the additional safety features.
The County Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved the proposed agreement and resolutions as to form.
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
Flood Park has long served the residents of southern San Mateo County and is widely considered the primary park serving residents of North Fair Oaks. Completion of this playground will give residents access to a modern playground that encourages outdoor play. Moreover, as the playground will be inclusive in design, it also creates play opportunities for people of varying ages and abilities.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The agreement is amended to increase its original not-to-exceed amount of $4,100,000 by an additional $540,000.00, for a new total amount not to exceed $4,640,000.00. This total amount covers the design and construction of the playground and construction contingencies to date, as well as additional project change orders and additional construction contingency.
Sufficient and approved Measure K appropriations are included in the Parks Department’s FY 2026-27 Adopted Budget for the additional scope of construction of the Flood Park Playground. The Appropriation Transfer Request in the amount of $494,485 will transfer appropriations from the Department’s operating budget to its capital projects budget to properly account for capital project funding and planned expenditures. If needed, the remaining construction contingency amount of $45,515 will be funded by the Parks Department’s Capital Projects Fund. Sufficient appropriations are included in the Parks Department’s FY 2026-27 Adopted Budget for this purpose. There is no Net County Cost associated with this recommendation.