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Receive and File a Report on the Culver West Alexander Playground
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Meeting Date: May 5, 2026
Contact Person/Dept: Adam Ferguson/PRCS
Phone Number: (310) 253-6685
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Attachments: Yes [] No [X]
Public Notification: (Email) Meetings and Agendas - Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Commission (04/30/2026); (Email) Parks, Recreation, and Community Service Department Updates (04/30/2026)
Department Approval: Adam Ferguson, PRCS Deputy Director (4/28/2026)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommend the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Commission receive and file a report on the Culver West Alexander Playground.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
On July 14, 2025, City Council approved establishing the playground at Culver West Alexander Park as a National Demonstration Site (NDS) and authorized the City to apply to GameTime for funding for playground rehabilitation. As part of an initiative created by the California Parks and Recreation Society (CPRS) along with the companies GameTime, PlayCore, Great Western Recreation, and MRC Recreation, playgrounds in need of repair and renovation can become an NDS recognized playground. An NDS playground must promote healthy play and support the creation of evidence-based play and recreation spaces across California. The three targets for the initiative are:
• Education: Professional development events train parks and recreation professionals and landscape architects on the role of play in building healthier communities.
• Collaboration & Funding: GameTime offers funding assistance to support the needs of communities to create high-quality outdoor play and recreation destinations that align with evidence-based designs that promote health.
• Impact & Advocacy: Recognize communities for turning research into practice and share site-specific reports and statewide collective outcomes to demonstrate impact and support play and recreation as an essential service.
Throughout California, NDS playgrounds exemplify evidence-based best practices in design and implementation, support health-related initiatives, and provide meaningful ways for community stakeholders to gather and share data.
Under the terms of the California Statewide Education and Funding Initiative through GameTime, in order to receive the grant funds, the City must enter into an agreement with GameTime to supply the materials and perform the associated rehabilitation work. Included in the final proposal from GameTime is new surfacing throughout the playground, new fencing around the toddler playground, and new fencing near the entrance to the playground at Wade St. Two community meetings were held on the following dates at Culver West Alexander Park to receive feedback from the community members near the park:
• Thursday, August 7, 2025
• Thursday, October 23, 2025
A survey was also sent through the City’s GovDelivery system and was made available in person to participants at the PRCS Halloween movie at Veterans Memorial Park. The scope of work was developed based on the feedback received.
On November 10, 2025, Council approved entering into an agreement with GameTime for the playground equipment and installation at Culver West Alexander Park in accordance with the grant, designating Culver West Alexander Park as a National Demonstration Site.
The equipment for the playground has now been fabricated, and construction is scheduled to begin in June with a target completion date of August. New playground elements will include accessible surfacing, two new play structures with age-appropriate play equipment with inclusive play options for children ages 2-5 and 5-12, new swings and ziplines and a sand “Dino Dig” area where children can discover fossils. New fencing will be placed around the play structure for children aged 2-5 and a partial fence around the play structure for children aged 5-12. The play structures will be shaded and include slides, equipment for climbing, balance, spinning, learning, imagination, and discovery. The colors have changed slightly from those seen in Attachment 1, to be lighter and brighter green and yellow colors. The playground and parking lot will be closed for roughly 3 months during construction, but the buildings, courts, pathways, and grass areas will remain open.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
None.
ATTACHMENT
None.
MOTION
That the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Commission:
Receive and file a report on the Culver West Alexander Playground.