Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Nicholas J. Calderon, Parks Director
Subject: Agreement with Jensen Landscape Contractor, LLC for the design and construction of the Flood Park Playground
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing the President of the Board of Supervisors to execute an agreement with Jensen Landscape Contractor, LLC for the design and construction of the Flood Park Playground, for the term of May 20, 2025 to June 30, 2026, in an amount not to exceed $4,100,000.
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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 (Resolution No. 079047), proposes several new amenities including a multi-use sports field, a combination baseball field/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. It also proposes a new inclusive playground that could serve visitors of varying ages and abilities.
Because the Realize Flood Park Project entails a complete renovation of Flood Park, improvements are being implemented in phases. Phase 1-which consists of the multi-use sports field, tennis/pickleball courts, basketball court, sand volleyball courts, pump track, redesigned picnic and reservation sites, and new utilities and landscaping-commenced construction in April 2024. Phase 1’s recreational amenities opened to the public in December 2024, and the picnic/reservation sites and meadows will open 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. Engagement events were held in the park and in North Fair Oaks as well as virtually, and the Department partnered with Casa Circulo Cultural, Familia Unidas, CARON, and the Sheriff’s Activity League to conduct outreach. Online surveys were made available for those who could not attend an engagement event. In total, approximately 500 people participated in the process.
Through the engagement process, the public expressed a desire for an inclusive playground that provides a range of play experiences at varying challenge levels. Some of the features most requested include a zipline, net climber, slides, swings, and natural play features (i.e. logs and rocks). Using this information, in June 2024, three playground concepts were prepared and presented to the public for consideration. Of these concepts, the public selected Boulder Canyon as the preferred alternative (“Flood Park Playground”). Conceptual renderings of the playground are attached as Exhibit A.
DISCUSSION:
The Flood Park Playground will include two play towers connected by a 15-foot bridge, a swing bank with four swings, a two-bay zipline, two spinners, four slides, a nature play zone, and a separate playground for children ages two to five years old. The playground will also include stacked boulders that serve as both a creative play element and seating. Playground surfacing will be poured in place rubber, which provides a stable surface for play and is padded for child safety. Consistent with the public’s request, the playground will utilize wood, stone, and earth tones to compliment Flood Park’s natural environment. Trees will be retained and planted for shade and aesthetics.
The Flood Park Playground will provide play opportunities for people of varying ages and abilities, while also providing a range of challenges. Of the two towers, one contains a spiraled net ramp that can be walked or crawled up, as well as a bridge that provides accessible entry to the tower’s midlevel. This design makes the slide on this tower accessible to visitors of varying abilities. The second tower is a net climber that challenges more advanced climbers. The swing bank includes a bucket seat with a harness, a companion swing that can be used by two people simultaneously, and traditional swing seats. Incorporating different swing styles provides opportunities for people of varying abilities and interests to enjoy the swings and also allows friends to swing together. The zipline and spinners are also inclusive in design.
The Department elected to use the Public Contract Code’s Design-Build delivery method for the Flood Park Playground. In February 2025, the Department released a Request for Qualifications (“RFQ”) for a Design-Build Entity, to which two firms responded. Both firms were determined to be qualified, and on March 11, 2025, the Department distributed a Request for Proposals (“RFP”) to each firm. The RFP included a criteria document that specified the type of play features to be used, their location in the playground, and a detail of the desired playground character. On April 8, 2025, one firm, Jensen Landscape Contractor, LLC (“Jensen”) submitted a proposal, which the Department determined to be responsive and which satisfies the Department’s criteria to design and construct the project. Jensen is also the firm that constructed Phase 1 of the Realize Flood Park Project.
Pursuant to the proposed agreement, Jensen will be responsible for: (i) preparing the playground’s design and construction documents based on the criteria document included in the RFP; (ii) procuring all equipment, material, and supplies necessary to build the playground in accordance with Department-approved design and construction documents; and (iii) constructing the playground according to approved plans. Construction of the playground is anticipated to commence in July 2025, and will take approximately nine months to complete. Because construction activities will occur during the rainy season, some weather delays may occur.
It is of note that at this time it is unclear how tariffs may impact this project. The Department will keep the County Executive’s Office apprised of any changes required to reduce project costs.
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 for an amount not to exceed $4,100,000. This amount includes the design and construction of the playground, as well as a $200,000 construction contingency.
Sufficient appropriations are included in the Parks Department’s FY 2024-25 Adopted Budget and will be included in the Department’s FY 2025-26 Recommended Budget for this Project. There is no Net County Cost associated with this recommendation.