Council approves bid for Everybody Plays Playground project

The Clear Lake City Council gave its okay Monday night to a slightly over-budget bid for construction of an Everybody Plays Inclusive Playground.

Dean Snyder Construction, of Clear Lake, submitted the lowest of two bids received for the project.  The company’s base bid of $1,977,500 was just above the $1.8 million the City budgeted for the work.  Henkel Construction, of Mason City, made a base bid of $2,725,000.  Both firms also submitted a bid on an alternate item, a zip line.  The DSC bid was $74,000. The Council approved DSC’s base bid only.

The City issued $1.3 million in general obligation bonds to offset the cost of the project’s construction and will be using cash reserves for the balance of the City’s share.

The Everybody Plays Committee has pledged the remaining balance of their funds, which total approximately $130,000.  The bond debt issued by the City was placed with MBT Bank, following a competitive placement, at the rate of 1.85 percent.

The playground will be built on South 15th Street, adjacent to the City’s aquatic center. The design incorporates a large green area next to the playground, various shaded areas and a splash pad. 

The idea for an all-inclusive playground was introduced in 2018 by Christina Maulsby, former director of the Autism Center at One Vision in Clear Lake and parent of two children with special needs. She led a committee promoting an “Everybody Plays Playground.”  The group successfully met its goal of raising $250,000 in 2020.   

Maulsby was present Monday night when the Council approved the bid for the work to begin.  

“What started five years ago with an image in my mind is now coming to full completion,” said Maulsby.  “I am grateful to the City for making this bigger and more