Joint Special Meeting of PASC & PRTAC on Fuller Park Playable Art – January 28, 2025

A joint special meeting of the Public Art Steering Committee (PASC) and the Parks, Recreation and Trees Advisory Commission (PRTAC) was held on January 28, 2025, beginning at 6:15 p.m. The sole agenda item was a presentation on the proposed design for the Fuller Park Playable Art Project, followed by discussion and a joint recommendation to city council.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Beverly Hemphill (occupational therapist working with children with disabilities): Expressed gratitude that the committee responded to earlier requests for universal design. She noted that many inclusive play elements were incorporated, but stressed the critical need for an accessible family restroom with an adult-sized changing table. She urged creative funding support through the Parks and Rec Foundation or other organizations, stating that “the bathroom can make the difference in who can come to play.”
• Heidi (representing parents of children with disabilities): Thanked staff (especially Ali Koenig) for collaborating with families. While not a fully universally designed playground due to budget and space constraints, she called it “progress.” She highlighted the inclusion of a wheelchair-accessible spinner and other features, but reiterated the importance of accessible bathrooms and adult changing tables to allow families to stay longer. She suggested exploring a model changing table with a lift from Children’s Hospital.
• Arwen Rose Stockwell (parent of a 13-year-old wheelchair user and mother of four): Thanked the committee for listening. She echoed the request for a universal changing table, noting that the restroom would be the only accessible public restroom in Napa County her daughter could use, limiting her community time to one to two hours. She shared a story of a school end-of-year party at Fuller Park where students with disabilities had to leave early due to lack of changing facilities. She quoted her nine-year-old: “When we make things more accessible for everybody, it gives us all a chance to understand the different perspectives of everybody and see the value within everybody.”

Discussion Items

• Presentation by staff and consultants: Ali Koenig (Parks Planning and Project Manager) introduced the project, which replaces existing playground equipment (ages 5–12 from 2002, ages 2–5 from 2017) with new playable art structures, rubber surfacing, and features. Dan Wodarsik (artist, S2 Associates) reviewed the schematic design process, noting the theme of “trees and nature” was selected from community workshops. David Yasso and Chris Olson (Spec Play Equipment Company) presented the final design, featuring a 20-foot-tall leaf-inspired climbing structure, rope nets, slides, swings, accessible spinners, musical elements, shade structures, and mounds. The design incorporates feedback from the June 2024 joint meeting, including more color, shade, inclusive play, and continuous play connectivity.
• Committee discussion:
  • PASC members: Applauded the evolution of the design, inclusion of accessible features, and artistic merit. Questions arose about shade coverage; staff explained that shade structures are placed over slide exits and the swing area (most shaded), constrained by fall zones and ASTM standards. The possibility of adding shade to the main structure was discussed but limited by head-clearance requirements. Suggestions included adding a mound in an open area northeast of the playground and planting additional trees for natural shade. Commissioner Murphy noted the toddler area’s traditional design seems disconnected; others praised the ground-surface design and musical elements.
  • PRTAC members: Commended the inclusive design and community engagement. Questions about shade included the height and color of shade structures (12-foot entry height, steel frame with fabric top, color to be determined). Commissioner Stoltz asked about mound material (pour-in-place rubber surfacing). Commissioner Dick reiterated the need for accessible restrooms, noting that while not part of this project, Fuller Park restroom replacement is a top contender for the next CIP cycle. Staff committed to mentioning the public’s bathroom comments in the council report.
• Safety and age-group questions: Richard asked about the safety of rope climbing structures. Spec representatives explained that the net structure is self-regulating, with graduated challenges, and that the unitary rubber surfacing is fall-attenuating. The age designations (2–5 and 5–12) are ASTM requirements; however, the design encourages self-regulation and all-ages play, and parents are welcome to play.

Key Outcomes

• Unanimous votes: Both bodies voted unanimously to recommend that city staff seek approval from city council for the final design and a draft agreement with Spec Play Equipment Company for fabrication, delivery, and construction of the Fuller Park Playable Art Project. The PASC roll call vote was unanimous; the PRTAC vote was also unanimous.
• Next steps: The item is tentatively scheduled for city council on February 18, 2025 (afternoon session). Fabrication is expected to take about five months after contract award, with delivery in 4–6 weeks, construction starting toward the end of 2025, and an opening date to be determined.
• Future meetings: The next regular PASC meeting is February 25, 2025; the next regular PRTAC meeting is February 19, 2025.