Introduction: The City of Ashland, Missouri is seeking qualified design firms to submit their qualifications for the improvement of City Park. The objective of this project is to enhance the overall functionality, aesthetics, and accessibility of the park for the benefit of the community by drawing from the 2020 Comprehensive Plan, the 2023 Parks and Recreation Master Plan, the goals of the Parks and Recreation Board, and the community to bring improvement to the park. The Park Board has spent 2023 investing in our central City Park in an effort to make improvements and bring the park to a level of developed completion. Through their work on the Parks and Recreation Master Plan with Drury University, the Park Board has determined that the next logical step is to engage with a firm to help guide the Park Board towards bringing their goals and ideas to reality. The Park Board has put together thoughts of what they would like to see incorporated into the park or addressed as part of improvements. Their list includes, but is not limited to: - Provide for ADA compliant and accessible features - Improve lighting throughout and especially along the trails - Ensure complete trail and pedestrian-way connections - Improve access across the stormwater drainage-way through the park - Provide connection to adjacent neighborhoods and properties - Update and enhance existing shelters - Ensure adequate amenities throughout such as drinking fountains, benches, bike racks, etc. - Improve aesthetics through enhanced landscaping and low maintenance plantings - Add sports and athletic features where possible such as a basketball court or other additional active rec spaces Project Overview: The selected design firm will be responsible for providing comprehensive design services for the improvement of City Park. This may include, but is not limited to, landscape design, infrastructure improvements, accessibility enhancements, recreational facilities, and sustainable design features. The Park Board envisions taking this project from design to construction immediately. The ideal firm will have the capacity to conduct design work in a fashion that enables the Park Board to be successful in the implementation of improvements in conjunction with their annual budget. The Park Board anticipates building upon recent grant funded project successes by applying for Land and Water Conservation Funding in the fall of 2024 to move improvements identified in this project towards construction and completion Contact Information: For questions or additional information, please contact: Kyle Michel, City Administrator 571-657-2091 kmichel@ashlandmo.us