First Hill Park Playground Replacement

Playground construction at First Hill Park is almost complete! Over the past month, R&R Construction:

• Finished installing all new play equipment, which includes the 20' tall Alpha Tower climbing and sliding structure, swings, mushroom steppers, log tunnel, and acorn seats
• Poured the concrete curb on the north edge of the play area and finished building the cedar timber border that encloses the rest of the playground
• Installed new gravel ramps outside of the play area and prepped for installation of new poured-in-place (PIP) ramps inside the play area, which together will enhance access for playground users of all abilities
• Completed preparations for laying the new engineered wood fiber (EWF) play area surfacing, including backfilling and adding landscape fabric

Upcoming final work includes installing the PIP ramps, adding 12" of new EWF surfacing, and powerwashing the play equipment. This project is on track to finish in the next few weeks (weather permitting). View construction progress photos here.

Construction has reached new heights (literally!) at First Hill Park! This week, R&R Construction began assembling the new Alpha Tower, a 20’ tall structure designed for ages 5-12. The tower features two slides – a double slide for riding two at a time from the 8’ deck and a winder slide to ride from the 12’ deck. Once fully installed, the tower will be the tallest playground structure in the City's playground system!

Other work completed over the last few weeks includes:

• Pouring the concrete slab for the log tunnel, which will connect to mushroom steppers to create a free-play space in the middle of the renovated play area
• Installing the posts for the new 2-belt swing set
• Building the cedar timber wall that will enclose the play area
• Backfilling the play area in preparation for installing the new engineered wood fiber (EWF) play surfacing

Upcoming work includes pouring the concrete curb at the play area entrance, finishing the timber border, and completing the play equipment install. Construction remains on track and is expected to conclude in December. View construction progress photos here.

R&R Construction continues preparations for installing the new timber border and concrete curb that will enclose the renovated play area. The project team met on site last week to field-adjust a few grade elevations, and the concrete subcontractor has also started forming the new concrete curb. In the coming weeks, the concrete curb will be poured, and the new timber border will begin to take shape. The Parks team also delivered the new play equipment to the park. It will be stored at the construction site until it can be installed in November. View construction progress photos here.

Construction is moving along at First Hill Park! Over the past few weeks, R&R Construction has completed the following:

• Installed tree protection and temporary erosion control measures
• Demoed existing playground equipment, play area surfacing, and timber curb border
• Started light grading in preparation for the new timber border and concrete curb that will define the renovated play area

Over the next several weeks, the contractor will form and pour the concrete curb and build the new timber border. City crews will also deliver the new play equipment, which has been stored at the Public Works Shop since February, to the park for installation soon.

Construction is expected to take 3 to 4 months. View progress photos here.

Progress to replace aging equipment and renovate the play area at First Hill Park continues! Keep reading for an update on equipment delivery, permitting, and expected construction timing.

• Play equipment delivered – New play equipment from Landscape Structures, Inc., was delivered in February and is being stored at Public Works until construction begins. Pieces include a multi-level tower structure with two slides; a two-swing bay of traditional belt swings; and nature-themed steppers, seats, and a tunnel.
• Permits secured – The City building permit was approved last month, and staff are working with the Community Planning and Development department to finalize the permit issuance.
• Confirming construction scope and timing – This week, City staff, the Berger team, and representatives from PlayCreation will meet on-site to refine the construction scope and project schedule. Staff aim to execute the construction contract in the next several weeks and anticipate construction will take 2-3 months to complete.

Questions? Contact Sarah Bluvas, CIP Project Manager, at sarah.bluvas@mercerisland.gov or 206.549.1032.

Good news! Today the City reopened the First Hill Park treehouse, which was closed in November due to wind storm damage. The Parks Maintenance team removed the broken stairwell and walled off the top of the platform, so the structure is now safe for playing once again.

The playground will remain open until construction starts later this year. Read yesterday's project update to learn more about progress and timing.

Work to replace aging play equipment at First Hill Park continues! Here's a look at progress made since the City's last update.

• Ordered play equipment – Equipment is provided by Landscape Structures, Inc., and includes a multi-level tower structure with two slides; a two-swing bay of traditional belt swings; and nature-themed steppers, seats, and a tunnel. New structures are currently scheduled to be delivered to the City in mid-February and will be stored at the Public Works Shop until construction begins.
• Submitted permits – Staff submitted permits earlier this month and anticipate the review process will take 6-8 weeks.
• Coordinating construction details with the contractor – Like the Roanoke Park Playground project, construction at First Hill Park will be completed through the KCDA purchasing cooperative. Staff and the design team from Berger Partnership plan to meet with R&R Construction at the park next week to discuss construction scope and timing.

Construction is still planned for spring 2025 and will be coordinated with Roanoke construction as much as possible. Another update will be posted when permits have been issued and the construction schedule has been confirmed. In the meantime, contact Sarah Bluvas, CIP Project Manager, at sarah.bluvas@mercerisland.gov with project questions.

The treehouse at First Hill Park was damaged during last month's "bomb cyclone" wind event. While the City evaluates options for the damaged play structure, it will remain closed to the public.

An update will be posted on Let's Talk when next steps for the play structure are identified.

Thank you for helping keep the playground safe by staying out of the closed play area!

Thank you to all the community members who commented on the proposed site plan for the First Hill Park playground this summer! The City received 46 unique comments, which Berger is using to adjust the site plan and prepare for permitting. Staff anticipate beginning the permitting process in September and will post the refined site plan when available.

Additionally, Berger continues to explore options for providing a safe hillside climbing experience to replace the slide that will be removed as part of this project. If a suitable hillside feature is identified, it could be installed during a later phase of renovations.