The Birmingham City Commission on Nov. 17 approved the design and procurement of an inclusive playground for Poppleton Park and authorized adjacent parking improvements to serve park visitors.

Parks & Recreation Manager Carrie Laird and landscape architect Lance Shipman presented the design, which the staff described as the city’s first fully inclusive, accessible play area. The proposal includes accessible pathways and surfacing, shade elements, seating, sensory walls, multiple play zones for ages 2–5 and 5–12, a wheelchair‑accessible merry‑go‑round and swing, and an accessible tower structure incorporating a new FlexNet climb system with two 20‑foot enclosed slides. Shipman emphasized the design choices were intended to meet national playground safety standards while maximizing accessibility.

Staff told the commission the parks bond originally budgeted $1,000,000 for Poppleton; the current design estimate is just over $1.7 million. The city has a $50,000 donation agreement from the Birmingham Rotary Club toward the project and plans additional community fundraising.

After resident questions about tower height, sightlines and temporary restroom location, staff said the tower’s higher levels will be enclosed per safety code and that temporary restrooms will be screened and serviced as needed. Shipman said interior access prevents users from climbing onto exterior tower sections and that tube slides are used above specified heights for safety.

The commission adopted a resolution to purchase playground equipment through cooperative purchasing (Sourcewell / Landscape Structures) and to proceed with installation and related accessible site work. The motion carried on roll call; the commission then debated parking options and voted to authorize construction of five inset parallel ADA parking spaces along Oxford Street, not to exceed $80,000. Staff said the parks board recommended five spaces because it was the least intrusive option for trees and neighborhood character while providing ADA accessibility.

The commission and staff discussed options to add drop‑off areas, signage and bump‑outs to calm traffic; staff said they would include a drop‑off in final designs and consider additional pedestrian safety measures as funding allows.

Next steps: staff will finalize procurement and the construction plan, incorporate neighborhood feedback on parking and drop‑off, and return with implementation details and schedules.