Commissioners on Nov. 17 approved a plan for a new, fully accessible playground at Poppleton Park and authorized nearby ADA parking changes aimed at improving access for people with disabilities.

Parks and recreation manager Carrie Laird presented the design, which staff and vendor representatives said was developed after public input and an August survey. The plan calls for accessible pathways, solid surfacing instead of wood chips, shade elements, seating, sensory walls and a central inclusive tower with two 20-foot slides. Vendor representatives said the design includes a patented FlexNet climbing system and wheelchair-accessible elements including a merry-go-round and swing.

"This plan does incorporate the tallest possible swings," Laird said during the presentation, and added the design responds to residents' requests for accessibility and inclusivity. Lance Shipman, the landscape architect on the project, described warranties and manufacturing details for Landscape Structures equipment and said the product line includes industry-standard safety features.

Commissioner (mover) moved to adopt a resolution authorizing procurement of playground equipment through the Sourcewell cooperative using Landscape Structures pricing and to amend the parks construction fund as needed to cover the project shortfall. The motion notes the city's 2019 parks-and-recreation bond included a $1,000,000 placeholder for Poppleton Park; Laird told the commission the current cost estimate for the proposed design is just over $1,700,000. The city also has a $50,000 donation from the Birmingham Rotary Club earmarked for the project.

After questions about sight lines, tower height and restroom placement, commissioners voted by roll call to approve the motion. The resolution instructs staff to finalize contract documents and proceed with purchase and installation under cooperative pricing.

On the same agenda, the commission voted to install five parallel inset ADA parking spaces along Oxford Street ("option D") as recommended by the Parks and Recreation Board and staff, with a not-to-exceed expenditure of $80,000. Staff said the inset design preserves roadway character and minimizes tree removal; commissioners debated alternatives including angled parking (more spaces but greater neighborhood impact) and agreed to add a drop-off location and signage in the final design.

The commission recorded unanimous votes for both the playground procurement and the parking approval. Staff said they will return to the commission with final contract documents, detailed construction staging and a plan for temporary ADA restroom accommodations as needed.

Ending: The approved design is the next step in the city's parks bond work; staff will oversee procurement and coordinate construction timing and neighborhood notifications.