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El Portal Play Park Renovation & Structure Replacement

Yosemite National Park » El Portal Play Park Renovation & Structure Replacement » Document List

The project would address safety concerns and respond to community requests for an enhanced gathering space at the El Portal Play Park in Old El Portal. The park equipment is replaced on an as-needed basis as it ages; existing playground elements are in various states of disrepair and include the following:
1) a multi-level wooden structure with slide, swing bar, and climbing apparatus (deteriorating)
2) two steel swing sets (good condition)
3) remnants of an abandoned teeter totter (unsafe/unusable)

The objective of this project is to update playground equipment, construct an open shade structure, install hedgerow for safety separation, and remove/replace the existing dilapidated elements with new structures.

IMPROVEMENTS:

Replace play structure: A new, multi-level, wood and plastic residential-type play structure will be installed in the vicinity of the existing structure. The new structure will be installed in previously disturbed soils and will require minimal ground disturbance, as the support posts do not need to be buried or seated in concrete. The existing structure would be removed (minimal to no ground disturbance; wooden supports buried no more than 12 inches will be removed).

Remove existing teeter totter: The broken teeter totter framework will be removed, requiring ground disturbance where a concrete pad will be removed (estimated to be 8 inches deep and 10 inches in diameter).

Improve swing set: The swing set chains and seats will be replaced.

Safety improvements: Wood chips would be installed in the playground area that stretches from the swing sets to the area designated for the new play structure (~1,278 square feet). Wood chips will be contained with a 4-inch high plastic-resin border, buried less than 6 inches around the perimeter of the play area. The existing hedgerow would be extended to provide a separation between the play area and the road. An existing high hedge (~70 linear feet) along the south side of the park creates a buffer between the play area and Crane Creek Road. The project would extend the hedge line (25 linear feet) along the southwestern side of the park. The contractor will work with the park botanist to determine landscaping plans. The hedge would be planted and then watered with the existing irrigation system.

Construct shade structure: The shade structure (20 feet long by 16 feet wide) would be constructed in the southeast corner of the park and include:
1) A shed-style metal roof (12 feet high - north side, 8 feet high - south side) supported by four to six wood posts (each 6 inches wide by 6 inches deep) mounted on concrete column bases, which will sit on a concrete slab. The roof material would be supported by wooden beams (6 inches by 8 inches) and wooden rafters (2 inches by 12 inches).
2) Installation of a concrete wall (6 feet high) to form the southeast corner of the shade structure to provide a visual barrier of the existing pump shed structure (further to the east), and protection from the brushy area that provides cover for rattlesnakes.
3) Installation of a concrete slab under the shade structure (20 feet by 16 feet), extending 4 feet to the south to provide a sunny patio. The slab would be 4 inches thick with four perimeter footings (12 inches by 16 inches wide, 12 inches deep). Under the four footings and the half wall, holes will be dug to 12 inches deep (12 inches by 16 inches wide) for concrete seating. The slab area will be excavated to 4 inches deep.
4) An accessible concrete walkway (45 linear feet, 5 feet wide) will connect the shade structure to Oak Road; it will be constructed of concrete and will meet standards for grades for accessible surfaces.

A special use permit will be issued for the project construction after final design/construction document review. A special use permit will be issued to Yosemite Employee Association for the long term operations and maintenance of the improvements.