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d) DISCUSS PLANNING FOR POSSIBLE NATURE PLAY ADDITION AT THE <br />HARRIET ALEXANDER NATURE CENTER <br />Staff relayed that over the past several years, the City of Roseville has made significant <br />investments in the Harriet Alexander Nature Center (HANC) to enhance the visitor experience, <br />improve facilities, and strengthen its role as a community destination for nature learning and <br />stewardship. These investments have included mosaic cairns, new interpretive signage, updated <br />building siding, and new exterior signage. <br /> <br />While the HANC grounds offer a wide variety of experiences, staff noted that a frequently <br />requested amenity from visitors and families is a nature playground. A nature playground is a <br />play space designed around natural elements such as rocks, trees, and plants. Staff reviewed the <br />benefits of nature play, including supporting healthy child development, fostering connections to <br />the outdoors, encouraging creativity and flexibility, and helping to offset some of the adverse <br />impacts of technology use. Staff also shared examples of local nature play areas, noting that <br />designs can vary but typically promote creative play, exploration, and appropriate risk-taking <br />through a combination of natural and manufactured features. <br /> <br />Staff stated that the recommended next step is to engage a consultant to develop a site plan that <br />evaluates potential locations, scale, environmental impacts, accessibility, and cost. The planning <br />process would also include stakeholder engagement with current and potential HANC users, <br />program participants, Natural Resource volunteers, Central Park schools, and donors. <br /> <br /> Funding plan <br />o Initial study – Estimated around $10,000-$15,000 <br /> Funded by Central Park Foundation <br />o Very preliminary estimates of $700,000 to $1 million <br />o Implementation Funding Partners <br /> Central Park Foundation Preliminary Pledge of $100-$200K <br /> FOR Parks Preliminary Pledge of $100-$200k <br /> Apply for Grant Funding (50% of the total cost, up to $500,000) <br /> John Robertson-Smith donation of $250-$500K <br />o Not anticipating city funds for initial implementation <br />o City would assume responsibility for ongoing operations and maintenance costs, <br />as well as eventual asset replacement. <br /> Capital Improvement Program (replacement cost) <br /> 15% at 10 years, 100% at 20 years <br /> Maintenance of one to two hours per week (irregular) <br /> Ideally would continue to add program maintenance support at <br />HANC to reflect the trends <br /> <br />8 <br /> <br /> <br />