First Hill Park Playground Replacement

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.

The play equipment selection and site plan concept for First Hill Park Playground are now available for community review and comment! Read through this post, which provides more information about how the design was developed and equipment was selected, or check out this summary slide.

After reviewing the site plan concept, share your comments on the proposed design and equipment here:

Comment on the site plan concept

Comments will be accepted through July 8, 2024, and feedback will be used to finalize the site plan and play equipment this summer.

Click the graphic for a PDF of the site plan concept.

CLIMB & SLIDE! - Details for the Multi-Level Tower Selection

• The refined site plan includes the three-story tower option (pictured) to maintain the park's history as an exciting sliding and climbing environment.
• Two slides are attached to the tower. One is a wiggle slide, and both are open-top slides, which align with preferences voiced in the survey.
• Inside the tower, kids will find different opportunities for climbing, crawling, and other exploring. Images of play inside the tower are provided below.

Views from inside the three-story tower proposed for the play area.

CONNECT! - Nature-Themed and Younger Play Opportunities

• Written survey comments asked for more features for younger children. A crawl tunnel, platform steppers, and themed play seats have been added to link the proposed tower and swing structures, giving play opportunities for more ages.
• Comments also highlighted the park's relationship to nature. Nature-themed components were selected to maintain that feeling within the play area.

Themed elements maintain the connection to nature in the park and provide play opportunities for younger ages.

SWING! - Protecting Trees and Diversifying Play Options

• The existing swing space has been repurposed to site the three-story tower in the proposed design. Locating the tower here helps protect the play area's many trees!
• A new saucer swing (example pictured) is proposed for the north end of the play area to maintain swinging at the park and diversify play options on Mercer Island.
• While the First Hill playground equipment survey did not ask for specific input on swinging types, the survey for Roanoke Park showed great support for installing a saucer swing at one of Mercer Island's playgrounds. The design team proposes implementing this play option at First Hill Park.

Now that you know more about how the design was developed, provide feedback on the site plan concept here.