For City Council Meeting October 28, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Tanya Williams, City Manager
AUTHOR: Cynthia Alvarado, Director of Parks, Recreation & Community Services
Title
Request City Council to: (1) Approve the Proposed Inclusive Playground Design for Installation at Rialto City Park; (2) Ratify the GameTime/CPRS Statewide Funding Initiative Grant Application and Accept the GameTime/CPRS Statewide Funding Initiative Grant Award of $144,250.34; (3) Adopt Resolution No. 8425 Authorizing a Budget Adjustment to Transfer $216,662.80 from the Capital Projects Fund, to Complete the Necessary Funding for the Rialto City Park Inclusive Playground Project; (4) In Accordance with Rialto Municipal Code Section 2.48.430, Cooperative Purchasing Programs, Award a Contract to GameTime, A Playcore Company, Through OMNIA Partners in the Amount of $904,064.28 for Rialto City Park Inclusive Playground, City Project CB260; and (5) Authorize the City Manager or Their Designee to Execute all Related Documents.
POWERPOINT
(ACTION)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff requests that the City Council:
1) Approve the proposed inclusive playground design for installation at Rialto City Park;
2) Ratify the GameTime/CPRS Statewide Funding Initiative grant application and accept the GameTime/CPRS Statewide Funding Initiative grant award of $144,250.34;
3) Adopt a Resolution to appropriate the GameTime grant in the amount of $144,250.34, and to authorize a budget adjustment to transfer $216,662.80 from the Capital Projects Fund, fund balance to Capital Projects Account No. 33007304-53001, to complete the necessary funding for the Rialto City Park Inclusive Playground project;
4) In accordance with Rialto Municipal Code Section 2.48.430, Cooperative Purchasing Programs, award a Contract to GameTime, a Playcore Company, through OMNIA Partners for $904,064.28 for Rialto City Park Inclusive Playground, City Project CB260; and
5) Authorize the City Manager or their designee to execute all related documents.
BACKGROUND
The City of Rialto continues to prioritize improvements in public parks to meet the needs of its growing and diverse community. For many years, residents have expressed a desire for a modern, inclusive playground at Rialto City Park, one of the City's most centrally located and heavily used parks.
At the June 24, 2025, City Council meeting, Council approved the allocation of $246,954.08 from the FY 2025-26 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to support development of an inclusive playground. On July 22, 2025, the City Council further approved the FY 2020-2021 Annual Action Plan Substantial Amendment No. 7, which reallocated $440,447.40 in unspent CDBG funds to the same project. This brought the total in available federal funding to $687,401.48.
The CDBG Ad Hoc Committee strongly advocated for the project, recognizing the need for a facility that accommodates children of all abilities. The playground will be the first inclusive playground in Rialto, addressing a long-standing gap in recreational amenities. Currently, many families must travel to nearby cities, such as Rancho Cucamonga, to access an inclusive play space.
Additionally, the City was awarded a GameTime Grant through the 2025 CPRS Statewide Training and Funding Initiative, which provides both direct cost reductions and specialized staff training in inclusive play programming.
The playground will be procured through GameTime, a PlayCore company and an approved OMNIA Partners cooperative purchasing vendor, ensuring competitive pricing, compliance with public purchasing laws, and expedited project delivery.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
Rialto City Park is one of the most active and well-loved destinations in the community, serving as both a recreational hub and a cultural gathering place.
The park is home to:
• The Fitness and Aquatics Center offers year-round classes and aquatic programs.
• The Sandra Courtney Playhouse is a cultural landmark for local theater and performing arts.
• Three baseball fields and a football field, named in honor of John Silva, a longtime supporter of youth athletics.
• Several community sports programs, including:
o Rialto Park Baseball Little League.
o Rialto Panthers Junior All-American Football Program.
o Rialto Swim Turtles, the City's competitive youth swim team.
• Other amenities include a basketball court, a converted tennis court now featuring four pickleball courts, a picnic shelter, a dedicated outdoor exercise area, open grass fields, and an outdoor performance stage.
While the park remains a cornerstone of community life, its existing playground is outdated and no longer meets modern standards for safety, accessibility, or inclusive design. The project scope typically includes the demolition of the existing playground and the construction of a new inclusive playground, complete with poured-in-place rubber flooring. Upgrading this playground presents an opportunity to transform City Park into a truly inclusive destination, ensuring that children of all abilities can play, learn, and grow together in their own community.
Inclusive Playground Design - PlayCore's 7 Principles
The proposed playground design is guided by nationally recognized best practices for inclusive and active play. These standards were developed by the Center for Outreach, Research, and Education (CORE), a division of PlayCore, the parent company of GameTime. The 7 Principles of Inclusive Playground Design were created in collaboration with Utah State University and the Center for Persons with Disabilities, incorporating research and expertise from child development and accessibility specialists.
Additionally, the PlayOn program was developed in partnership with SHAPE America to encourage physical activity and structured play opportunities. By integrating these evidence-based principles, the proposed playground will support a wide range of abilities, promote social interaction, and create an engaging environment that is welcoming and accessible to all children. These principles are:
1. Be Fair - Provide equitable opportunities for children of all abilities.
2. Be Included - Encourage social play and cooperative interaction.
3. Be Smart - Support physical, cognitive, sensory, and social development.
4. Be Independent - Allow children to engage with minimal assistance.
5. Be Safe - Balance the challenge with appropriate safety measures.
6. Be Active - Promote physical movement and fitness.
7. Be Comfortable - Ensure the space is welcoming and easy to navigate for both children and caregivers.
This approach ensures that every child, regardless of ability, can fully participate in meaningful play. The design also incorporates PlayCore's Play On! Framework, which aligns playground activities with physical education standards. The framework emphasizes six key elements of active play:
1. Balancing - Enhances coordination and core strength.
2. Brachiating - Builds upper-body strength and motor planning.
3. Climbing - Promotes problem-solving and muscular development.
4. Sliding - Supports spatial awareness and risk assessment.
5. Spinning - Stimulates the vestibular system and balance control.
6. Swinging - Encourages rhythm, timing, and body coordination.
By integrating these elements, the playground not only provides fun and engagement but also supports physical literacy, developmental growth, and the development of lifelong healthy habits. Key elements of the proposed design (Attachment A) include:
• A large 5-12 play structure (eligible for CPRS grant funding).
• Inclusive freestanding features such as the RoxAll See Saw, Inclusive Whirl (musical spinner), Inclusive Orb, Harmonic Chimes, Jazz Combo, Concert Trio, and Sensory Wave Wall.
• Large, shaded areas to ensure comfort and heated protection.
• Poured-in-place rubber surfacing, ensuring accessibility and safety.
• Educational signage highlighting the benefits of active, inclusive play.
This combination creates a multi-sensory, multi-generational destination playground that reflects Rialto's commitment to accessibility, health, and inclusion.
CPRS Statewide Training & Funding Initiative
Rialto's award through the California Park & Recreation Society (CPRS) 2025 Statewide Training and Funding Initiative provides both financial support and staff training. This initiative ensures that best practices in inclusive design and programming support the City's investment in this area. Rialto staff will participate in CPRS and PlayCore training workshops, bringing back knowledge to strengthen community play opportunities.
The equipment selected for this playground has not reported any common issues. The equipment has a strong record of performance and reliability. The manufacturer stands behind its warranty and will provide replacements if needed, where applicable. The installation of inclusive playground equipment does not present any increased liability compared to traditional post-and-platform ADA-compliant playground structures. All equipment meets current safety and accessibility standards.
Cooperative Purchasing Procurement
On September 28, 2021, the City Council passed, approved, and adopted City Ordinance No. 1662, incorporating language about cooperative purchasing programs into Section 2.48 of the Rialto Municipal Code.
Section 2.48.430 of the Rialto Municipal Code states the following:
"The city council may authorize the acquisition of supplies or services through a cooperative purchasing agreement or program, or by using a competitively awarded agreement of another local, state, or federal government agency or joint powers authority made up of government agencies to obtain the same supplies, equipment or services at the same or lower prices (commonly referred to as "piggybacking") utilizing competitive bidding procedures that accomplish the purpose and intent of competitive bidding requirements of this chapter. Such programs and agreements include, but are not limited to, the California Multiple Award Schedules program ("CMAS"), the U.S. General Services Administration multiple award schedule program, Sourcewell, the U.S. Communities government purchasing alliance, and other similar programs."
The construction award to GameTime is in accordance with Section 2.48.430 Cooperative Purchasing Programs and satisfies CDBG requirements through OMNIA Partners, the designated cooperative purchasing program. All contracts available through OMNIA Partners are competitively solicited and publicly awarded by a lead agency using a competitive solicitation process consistent with applicable procurement laws and regulations. Staff recommend awarding a construction contract to GameTime through cooperative purchasing procurement with OMNIA Partners in the amount of $904,064.28 for the construction of a new inclusive playground at Rialto City Park.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Section 21084 of the California Public Resources Code requires that the guidelines for implementation of the California Environmental Quality (CEQA) include a list of projects that have been determined not to have a significant effect on the environment, and which shall, therefore, be exempt from the provisions of CEQA. In response to that mandate, the Secretary for Resources identified classes of projects that do not have a significant effect on the environment and are declared categorically exempt from the requirement for the preparation of environmental documents. In accordance with 14 CCR Section 15301 "Existing Facilities", Class 1 projects consist of the repair, maintenance, or minor alteration of existing structures and facilities; therefore, the Rialto City Park Inclusive Playground, City Project No. CB260 is considered categorically exempt from CEQA. Staff have prepared and will file a Notice of Exemption for the project.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY
This action is consistent with Guiding Principle 3 in the General Plan:
Our city government will lead by example, operating in an open, transparent, and responsive manner that meets the needs of citizens and fosters a good business environment.
Approval of this action also complies with the following City of Rialto General Plan Goals and Policies:
Goal 3-6: Require that all developed areas within Rialto are adequately served with essential public services and infrastructure.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney's Office has reviewed the resolution and construction contract and approved them as to form.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS
Operating Budget Impact
There is no impact on the Operating Budget.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
• Total Project Cost (with CPRS grant savings applied): $904,064.28
• Funding Available (CDBG $246,954.08+ CDBG-CV $440,447.40): $687,401.48
• Funding Gap: $216,662.80, which will be covered by funds allocated for park projects from the Capital Projects Fund balance to account no. 33007304-53001
Licensing
GameTime will pay a Business License Tax before commencing the services for this project.