HomeMy WebLinkAboutExhibit 1 - Agenda Information SheetCity of Denton
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AGENDA INFORMATION SHEET
DEPARTMENT: Procurement
ACM: Christine Taylor
DATE: September 22, 2026
SUBJECT
Consider adoption of an ordinance of the City of Denton, a Texas home-rule municipal corporation,
authorizing the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Parkhill, Smith & Cooper,
Inc., for the design of Lily Cantu Playground as part of the City’s 2023 Bond Program for the Parks and
Recreation Department as set forth in the contract; providing for the expenditure of funds therefor; and
providing an effective date (RFQ 8596-004 – Professional Services Agreement for design services awarded
to Parkhill, Smith & Cooper, Inc., in the not-to-exceed amount of $749,500.00).
STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT
This action supports Key Focus Area: Strengthen Community and Quality of Life.
INFORMATION/BACKGROUND
The City of Denton Parks and Recreation Department maintains North Lakes Park, located at 2001 W.
Windsor Drive, Denton, TX 76201. In 2022, City Council approved an application to rename the
playground within the park to honor Librada “Lily” Rose Cantu. In the same year, the City Council also
adopted the Parks, Recreation, and Trails System Master Plan. One of the priorities identified in this
plan was the creation of an inclusive playground providing accessibility to all abilities. Parks and Recreation
Department hired Mesa Design Company in 2023 to master plan the new Lily Cantu Playground. This
project involved gathering input from the public, assessing the community's needs, creating design
concepts, and developing cost estimates.
The master plan officially began in May 2023 with focus groups including Denton ISD, University of North
Texas, Texas Women’s University, Denton County Mental Health Mental Retardation (MHMR) Center,
Cook’s Children, Texas Health, Lewisville Independent School District (ISD), Lake Dallas ISD, and
members from the Park Board and Committee with Persons on Disabilities, among others. Additionally,
Parks met with the Cantu family to understand Lily’s life better and explore how the all-abilities playground
design could honor her legacy. Mesa Design’s completed master plan includes the potential for a multi-
phased design and construction project.
A Bond program was held in November 2023. Proposition C passed, providing $3,450,000 in funding for
construction of the Lily Cantu Playground. The bond program is supplemented with the award of $750,000
from the 2025 Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) Local Park Grant.
City Hall
215 E. McKinney Street
Denton, Texas
www.cityofdenton.com
In Septmeber, 2025, staff brought Mesa Design’s concepts to the Parks, Recreation and Beautification
Board for review of phasing options. Direction given was to include the following elements in Phase I of
construction:
• Elevated Ramp/Platform
• Two (2) to five (5) Play Structures
• Perimeter Fence
• Signage
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Parking Improvements
• Shade/Seating
• Park Lighting
Staff presented the project and phasing details to the Bond Oversight Committee in February and May,
2026. Over the summer, staff began an evaluation and selection process of design firms that specialize in
inclusive playgrounds. Design is expected to take between nine (9) and 12 months, with an additional 12
months estimated for construction. TPWD grant fulfillment, which includes a fully-constructed park that is
open to the public, must be met by September 30, 2028. The awarded design firm will finalize and deliver
the project’s as-built drawings post-construction.
Request for Qualifications for state-certified firms to provide various professional services as needed for
projects for the Parks and Recreation Department was solicited using the City’s formal solicitation process.
City Council approved a pre-qualified list of professional service firms on February 18, 2025 (Ordinance
25-288).
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
On February 18, 2025, City Council approved RFQ 8596 for state-certified firms to provide various
professional services as needed for projects for the Parks and Recreation Department (Ordinance 25-288).
On September 8, 2025, the Parks, Recreation and Beautification Board received a report and provided
feedback regarding the phased options based on the Lily Cantu Playground Master Plan.
On February 13 and May 7, 2026, the Bond Oversight Committee received a report and provided feedback
regarding the phased options based on the Lily Cantu Playground Master Plan.
RECOMMENDATION
Award a contract with Parkhill, Smith & Cooper, Inc., for the design of the Lily Cantu Playground as part
of the City’s 2023 Bond Program for the Parks and Recreation Department, in the not-to-exceed amount of
$749,500.
PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS
Parkhill, Smith & Cooper, Inc.
Fort Worth, TX
ESTIMATED SCHEDULE OF PROJECT
This project will be started upon approval, with a completion date by December 30, 2028.
FISCAL INFORMATION
These services will be funded from Inclusive Playground Project account 400373475. Requisition #176593
has been entered into the Purchasing software system in the amount of $749,500.
Project Description Breakdown of Expenditures
Task 01 – Pre-Design Phase Services $47,500
Task 02 – Design Phase Services 595,000
Task 03 – Supplemental Services 99,500
Reimbursable Expenses 7,500
Total $749,500
EXHIBITS
Exhibit 1: Agenda Information Sheet
Exhibit 2: Ordinance and Contract
Respectfully submitted:
Lori Hewell, 940-349-7100
Purchasing Manager
For information concerning this acquisition, contact: Monica Martin, 940-349-8232.
Legal point of contact: Leah Bush at 940-349-8333.