TO: Mayor and City Council
THROUGH: Krishna Namburi, Interim City Manager
FROM: Gretchen Bennett, Acting in Capacity Community Services Director
SUBJECT:
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Project request to replace playground surfacing at the Crooked House Playground located at Bush’s Pasture Park.
Ward(s): Ward 2
Councilor(s): Nishioka
Neighborhood(s): SCAN
Result Area(s): Welcoming and Livable Community
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SUMMARY:
summary
The Crooked House Playground, an iconic play space in Bush’s Pasture Park near the Bush Barn Art Center, received major upgrades in 2015, including a rubber tile surfacing system that improved accessibility while providing an impact-attenuating surface. After ten years, the surfacing is failing, and staff are requesting authorization to create a new park improvement project to replace it, funded through the 2022 Safety and Livability Bond.
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ISSUE:
Shall City Council authorize the creation of a mid-year park improvement project - “Crooked House Playground Resurfacing” - in the FY 2026 Parks Bond Construction Fund 255 funded with the 2022 Safety and Liability Bond proceeds?
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Authorize the creation of a mid-year park improvement project - “Crooked House Playground Resurfacing” - in the FY 2026 Parks Bond Construction Fund 255 funded with the 2022 Safety and Liability Bond proceeds.
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FACTS AND FINDINGS:
The Crooked House Playground, upgraded in 2015 with a rubber tile surfacing system, has reached the end of its serviceable life. After ten years of heavy use, the surface is failing and requires replacement. In advance of considering a specific solution for its replacement, staff evaluated alternative surfacing options with respect to safety, accessibility, maintenance, lifespan, cost, and installation feasibility.
Surfacing Options Considered
Synthetic Turf with Safety Underlay (recommended)
• Safety: Moderate to high, depending on underlay depth and material
• Accessibility: Excellent; highly navigable for all users
• Maintenance: Minimal; occasional brushing and sanitizing
• Lifespan: 10-15 years
• Cost: Medium to high, comparable to other durable surfacing options
• Feasibility: Professional installation recommended; patch repairs possible
Engineered Wood Fiber
• Safety: Provides moderate fall protection when properly maintained
• Accessibility: Limited; compacts over time and creates barriers for wheelchair users
• Maintenance: High; requires frequent topping, raking, and leveling
• Lifespan: 5-10 years
• Cost: Low initial cost, but ongoing upkeep is labor-intensive
• Feasibility: Not practical at this site; would require costly subsurface and drainage modifications
Rubber Tile Systems
• Safety: High; consistent cushioning across surface
• Accessibility: Excellent; firm and wheelchair-accessible
• Maintenance: Low; cleaning and occasional tile replacement
• Lifespan: 10-15 years
• Cost: Medium to high
• Feasibility: Straightforward repairs, though installation requires precision
Pour-in-Place Rubber
• Safety: High; seamless and impact-attenuating
• Accessibility: Excellent; fully wheelchair-accessible
• Maintenance: Low; periodic cleaning
• Lifespan: 10-20 years
• Cost: Medium to high
• Feasibility: Complex installation and repair; requires professional installation in favorable weather
Recommended Option
Based on this evaluation, staff proposes to transition the Crooked House Playground to a synthetic turf surfacing system. This option balances safety, accessibility, durability, and operational efficiency, while minimizing long-term maintenance needs.
This request is being presented as a new mid-year project to advance the work ahead of increasing risks that the playground may need to be closed due to unsafe conditions if the failing surface continues to deteriorate.
Financial Considerations
The total estimated project cost is $180,000, which includes:
• Demolition and disposal of the existing rubber tile system
• Sub-base preparation and installation of an impact-attenuating foam underlay
• Synthetic turf installation
• City project management
Funding will come from the 2022 Safety and Livability Bond. Savings within the playground rehabilitation program make this reallocation possible. Each of the ten playgrounds funded by the bond was budgeted at approximately $600,000. The planned redevelopment of the Minto-Brown Island Park playground is being reduced by $180,000, freeing the necessary funds.
The 2015 Minto-Brown Island Park Master Plan calls for replacing pre-manufactured play equipment with a nature play area, which is more consistent with the character of the park. Nature play areas, such as those at Silver Falls and Champoeg State Parks, are typically lower in capital cost than traditional playgrounds, though they may have shorter lifespans. This approach allows the City to reduce project costs at Minto-Brown while still meeting the future vision for the park as presented in the park development plan.
Bond Oversight Committee Action
At its August 28, 2025 meeting, the Bond Oversight Steering Committee reviewed and endorsed the proposed reallocation of funds. A motion by Member Nishioka, seconded by Chair Julie Hoy, passed to forward the recommendation to City Council for consideration.
BACKGROUND:
The Crooked House Playground is a beloved and distinctive feature of Bush's Pasture Park. Inspired by the whimsical style of Dr. Seuss, this playful area has been a favorite spot for families since it was first installed in 1968. Its design features a tilted, colorful house structure that sparks creativity and imagination in children.
In 2015, the playground received a major renovation to update its aging infrastructure while preserving its distinctive theme. The revamped design retained the crooked house motif and incorporated modern play equipment, ensuring both safety and ongoing enjoyment for visitors. A grant award from the Oregon Department of Parks and Recreation Local Government Program assisted with the capital cost of this project.
Situated in Bush's Pasture Park, the playground is part of a larger community space that includes walking paths, gardens, sports facilities, picnic areas, other playground spaces, and cultural landmarks such as the Bush House Museum and the Bush Barn Art Center.
Rob Romanek
Parks Planning Manager
Attachments:
None.