<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3mA07o_1H1T5mgc00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3mA07o_1H1T5mgc00" width="844" height="475" ><figcaption>Facebook</figcaption></figure>The Isanti City Council has decided to let the experts do the work of installing two new (to Isanti) playgrounds rather than having a Public Works employee get a crash course in installation and lead the city and community volunteers through the installation process. The decision also means there is a good chance — weather permitting — the playgrounds will be open before the end of 2026.The playgrounds in question currently sit in Moir Park in Bloomington. About a month ago, Isanti Mayor Luke Merrill managed to obtain the equipment for free under the condition that Isanti would handle the removal of the equipment and transportation to Isanti.Public Works Director Josh Becker obtained two quotes for the removal and transportation of the equipment. The first, from Bauer Companies, was for $10,100. However, it did have a $1,500 discount if the city did the transportation part. The original idea was for a Public Works employee to drive down to observe the disassembly in order to have an idea of how to reassemble it. And since the employee would be driving back to Isanti each day, they could haul the pieces back.According to Becker, he was confident Public Works staff would be able to pull all of that off; however, it would be time-consuming and would delay staff from performing other non-time-sensitive duties.“Woodland Park put us behind a lot of our everyday stuff, and we are now in catch-up mode,” Becker said of the recently opened new park made up of natural materials and completely constructed by Public Works. “I’m not saying we can’t do it (install the Moir Park equipment), but it is a consideration.” He added that a best estimate would be they wouldn’t even be able to begin installation until late July 2027.Council member Erika Zdon said that extended time frame concerned her.“I’m not opposed to it. I think we got a really great deal,” Zdon said. “I’m just saying you are asking someone who doesn’t have a ton of time, ‘when you take this apart, don’t forget what you did for when you put it together in eight months.“I’ve put together two parks,” Zdon continued. “My family put together the one on South Passage and the one on Hillock. It’s just a lot of pieces. A. Lot.”Merrill countered that besides saving transportation costs, the employee hours needed for the installation could be paid for from the park dedication fund, which would save that amount from the general budget. Council member Nick Pedersen added that the installation cost would be paid out of the park dedication fund, no matter who performed the installation.The second quote was from SafetyFirst. They quoted a price of $9,446.30 to tear the equipment down and transport it to Isanti. Their bid did not include an option for a Public Works employee to observe the disassembly; however, they did quote a price of $14,851 for them to reassemble the equipment this year, or $19,711 if the city waited for them to do it in 2027.After further discussion that had most of the council leaning towards awarding the project to Bauer Companies, the council suddenly did an about-face that culminated with Council member Steve Lundeen making the motion to “go with SafetyFirst, the whole shabang.”The council also decided to place the smaller of the two playgrounds in Isanti Hills Park, with the Parks and Recreation Committee deciding at its next meeting or at a special meeting where the larger playground should go.</div></body>

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The Isanti City Council has decided to let the experts do the work of installing two new (to Isanti) playgrounds rather than having a Public Works employee get a crash course in installation and lead the city and community volunteers through the installation process. The decision also means there is a good chance — weather permitting — the playgrounds will be open before the end of 2026.

‘New’ Isanti playgrounds may be installed this year

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The Isanti City Council has decided to let the experts do the work of installing two new (to Isanti) playgrounds rather than having a Public Works employee

‘New’ Isanti playgrounds may be installed this year

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