The Parks and Recreation Committee voted to purchase two butterfly musical play elements and a caterpillar xylophone for Butterfly Park and will ask the City Council to provide funding or include the project in the FY2026 budget.

Committee members discussed product sizes, materials and pricing before making the motion. The items discussed included toddler- and older-child sizes, aluminum construction with powder coating, attached mallets to prevent theft and a five-year warranty. Committee members noted the park’s small footprint and that the pieces can be surface-mounted without special fall-safety surfacing.

The committee’s Parks and Recreation Manager described available configurations and pricing and said staff will return with vendor pricing and funding options. “We’ll have to take this to City Council for funding,” the manager said.

Why it matters: The installation would add a permanent, low-footprint play feature to a small, plant-focused park and could increase community use. Because the committee has no discretionary funds for capital purchases, the item must be funded either by City Council via a budget amendment, included in the FY2026 budget or paid with donated funds if those become available.

Committee discussion and details

Committee members examined size and color options and the recommended mounting method. Committee members emphasized that the mallets should be permanently attached; presenters said parks that left mallets loose saw them go missing. The vendor quoted single-unit prices around $1,400 and a four-piece package priced at about $5,700; committee members estimated a total cost for three pieces (one large butterfly, one small butterfly, and a caterpillar) of roughly $6,000 once shipping, installation and other fees are included. One presenter said that because the city is tax-exempt the city would not pay sales tax, which could lower the out‑the‑door price; another estimated the figure could reach about $7,500 if full taxes and extras were included.

A member moved that the committee purchase one large butterfly, one small butterfly and the caterpillar; another member seconded. The motion carried by voice vote; the meeting record shows the motion passed.

Next steps and funding

Staff said they will negotiate pricing with the vendor, confirm installation details and bring the request to City Council for funding or include it as a project in the FY2026 budget cycle. Committee members noted donated funds might accelerate installation if those donations materialize sooner.

Ending

The committee asked staff to return with firm quotes and an implementation recommendation for council consideration, and members agreed on preliminary colors (yellow and orange butterflies and a green caterpillar) to narrow vendor options.