Explanation
This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into contract with Mark Haynes Construction, Inc. for the Franklin Park Cascades and Ponds Restoration project and for the expenditure of $2,200,000.00 from the Voted Recreation and Parks Bond Fund.
Background: The Ponds and the associated Cascades were constructed for Ameriflora in 1991. The Phase I construction project addressed the existing pump system which had not been performing as designed since 2016. Phase I included the removal of the underground, non-operational pumps in the park and replaced them with a new above ground system with variable speed drives and turbine pumps enclosed in a pump house. This phase was critical to returning flow to the cascades.
This project (Phase II) aims to address both ponds and the associated cascades which have numerous voids and deteriorating base and edges.
The upper pond will be deepened from an overall 3’ depth to 10’ at the deepest point with gradual slopes. This deepening will help to promote a healthier system overall. The pond bottom will be relined and all edge conditions will be replaced, repaired, and cleaned up as necessary.
The lower pond will be drained to allow for all the existing muck to be removed. Deepening of the lower pond alternate was not accepted due to budgetary limitations. All edge conditions will be cleaned up.
The cascades between the two ponds will be addressed to alleviate leaking and promote a sustainable system for the future. The existing waterfall features will be cleaned, sealed, and restored. The connecting features between the falls will be reconstructed to mimic natural and native stream conditions and planted with native plant species representative of the different ecosystems created.
Alternate 1 was accepted which will address the 3 existing bridges within the cascade area. All decking and railing will be replaced. Alternate 2 was accepted which will create ...
Click here for full text