About the Project
The City of Avon Lake is renewing the Avon Lake Play Space (ALPS) at Bleser Park to create a multi-generational, inclusive destination for all ages to enjoy. When completed, the ALPS project will be a key community asset that demonstrates our community's committment to meeting the needs of children and families.
Leave a Lasting Legacy
Our vision for the ALPS project is to create a safe, accessible, and engaging destination that fosters creativity, connection, and community growth. We cannot achieve that vision without your support. Excellent sponsorship opportunities are available at a variety of levels, and every contribution makes a difference.
For information about sponsorships, contact Erin Fach or call 440-930-4130.
Project Timeline
Originally built by resident volunteers in the mid-1990s, ALPS was an all-wooden playground that, despite being well-maintained over the years, was removed in 2021 due to safety concerns. With its removal, Avon Lake lost the largest playground of its kind, which catered to the widest age range of children.
ALPS was beloved by a diverse group of park visitors and local residents. Since its removal, demand for such a space has only grown. Bleser Park, home to an outdoor pool, concession stand, two youth baseball fields, four tennis/pickleball courts, two sand volleyball courts, two basketball courts, and two pavilions, attracts an estimated 50,000 visitors annually. This includes people visiting for structured activities at the pool and those dropping by for a variety of recreational reasons, such as basketball, volleyball, or simply enjoying the green space. A community survey, with 255 responses, revealed that 76% of participants visited the playground at least once a month, with 50% visiting a few times per month or more.
August 2025: The City administration hosted a progress meeting on August 5 with Kimley-Horn and RJ Platten.
The playground equipment arrived on August 19, 2025, and installation began. RJ Platten completed the majority of the grading and curbing prep work, and began finalizing ground preparation for the fitness loop. The loop will be completed once all of the playground equipment has been fully installed.
March 29, 2025: Avon Lake City Council approved Ordinance No. 25-74 on April 14, 2025, awarding a contract for the construction of Avon Lake Play Space (ALPS) Phase 2 to RJ Platten. Kimley-Horn presented the equipment for ALPS to City Council. Phase 2 will include the installation of playground equipment, lighting, fitness loop and additional storm water management for the project side.
- The City hosted the pre-construction meeting May 6, 2025, with Kimley-Horn and RJ Patten.
- RJ Platten mobilized at Bleser Park in early July.
- Phase 2 completion date was projected for November.
April 14, 2025: Avon Lake City Council approved Ordinance No. 25-74 on April 14, 2025, awarding a contract for the construction of ALPS Phase 2 to RJ Platten. Kimley-Horn presented the equipment to City Council.
Phase 1 included the Avon Lake Public Works Department moving the mound and completing the grading, installation of the steps and cement work, gliders at the top of the mound, and the installation of turf for the four season sledding hill.
January 15, 2025: The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) NatureWorks program approves grants for projects that improve outdoor recreational opportunities for Ohioans across the state. The City of Avon Lake received $69,816 from the ODNR NatureWorks program to install an all-inclusive playground at ALPS in Bleser Park. “These projects are crucial in building stronger connections to the outdoors,” said Gov. Mike DeWine in the release announcing the grant. “We are proud and excited to partner with communities all around the state to bring exceptional opportunities for recreation to every Ohioan.”
January 7, 2025: Kimley-Horn presented the plans and schedule for the ALPS project to the Planning Committee.
December 2024: Bids for the completion of Phase 1 were received by the City and reviewed by Kimley-Horn. Kimley-Horn made a recommendation to award, which was presented to City Council for consideration. The bid included concrete work, seating walls, turf installation, and the installation of gliders at the top of “Laker's Lookout” for great views of Lake Erie. City Council awarded the contract to RMH Concrete and Foundation.
The City continued its work with Kimley-Horn on design details and costs for Phase 2, which includes purchase and installation of playground equipment, installation of lighting, construction of a fitness loop, and additional storm water management for the site.
October-November 2024: Kimley-Horn completed the final plans for ALPS Phase 1. Work for ALPS Phase I was divided into two segments: city performed and contractor performed. The City of Avon Lake's Public Works staff wrapped up the in-kind site work for Phase I in early November.
September 2024: Phase 1 of the ALPS project was approved by the Planning Commission on September 4, 2024. After going through the proper permitting process, Phase 1 site work began on September 17, 2024. The initial site work was done by the City of Avon Lake's Public Works Department.
Phase 1 included going out to bid for artificial turf for the sledding hill and concrete work.
August 2024: City Council approved advertising for the contracted section of Phase 1. Preparation and planning for Phase 1 of the project included moving the existing mound, creating an observation area and a multi-season sledding hill. This mound work was completed by the Public Works Department. The mound was established in a location on the site to maximize views of Lake Erie.
July 2024: The City of Avon Lake was awarded a $350,000 grant from Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) for the project. Avon Lake City Council gave approval to advertise and seek bids for the contracted portion of Phase 1, which included the necessary concrete flat work, seating walls, turf installation, swing seating and installation.
June 2024: A progress meeting with Kimley-Horn was held. Preparations for a Phase 1 construction package took place.
May 2024: A project kick off meeting with design firm Kimley-Horn was held. It was determined that the ALPS project would be divided into two phases, the first to be completed in 2024, and the second to be completed in 2025.
April 2024: The City requested a proposal for design and construction management services from Kimley Horn. Upon receipt, the proposal was reviewed by the City administration. Recommendations for changes were discussed and agreed to by both the City administration and Kimley Horn. The proposal was presented to the Communication, Environmental, and Recreational Programming Committee on April 22, and was unanimously approved to move to Council for consideration.
March 2024: Statement of Qualifications were received from Brandstetter Carroll Inc., Behnke, Kimley Horn and Associates, and Gametime. The four submissions were evaluated by the ALPS Review Committee based upon the pre-established criteria. As a result of the evaluations, Behnke, Brandstetter Carroll, and Kimley Horn were scheduled for in-depth interviews. After reviewing the Statements of Qualifications, evaluations, interviews and references, the Committee selected Kimley Horn as the professional design firm for the ALPS.
January- February 2024: Sixmo Architects of Cleveland created a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for landscape design professionals for the ALPS playground project. The City administration and City Council approved the RFQ and it was publicly advertised. An ALPS Review Committee was created, and evaluation criteria was established based upon the RFQ document.
December 2023: The legal processes associated with the initial design phase of the Avon Lake Play Space (ALPS) concluded when the Ohio Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal of the ruling favorable to the City of Avon Lake in the case brought by ParkPlay Solutions.
October 2023: The following statement was issued by the City of Avon Lake:
The City of Avon Lake's position was upheld by the 9th District Court of Appeals, which rejected the arguments of a bidder that was not selected for the project - both in the court's original decision and again in denying the bidder's application for reconsideration of the original decision. The bidder is now attempting to have the Ohio Supreme Court review the matter.
Here is where our Avon Lake Play Place project now stands. First, while the appeals process continues to play out, we are moving forward and considering our next best steps to complete the project as we remain determined to provide our children the playground we first conceived almost two years ago.
Second, this process will continue to be conducted in public and in full view of our taxpayers, just as the project has been handled thus far. As the appeals court decision made clear, we have followed our bidding process and public votes were held on this project by our Parks and Recreation Commission, by our Public Service Committee and finally by City Council. We conduct our business in public and will continue to do so.
Third and finally, while this legal process has been lengthy and challenging it also resulted in an important upholding of Home Rule - allowing the local government that Avon Lake citizens elected to make decisions for our city. As the appeals court ruled, " ... we conclude that the bidding process the City utilized for the Project was a proper exercise of its Home Rule power under its Charter and that the utilized proposal process complied with the City's Charter."
September 2023: The 9th District Court of Appeals issued a decision regarding the appeal of the Lorain County Court of Common Pleas injunction on the ALPS project. The Ninth District Court of Appeals decided to uphold the procurement process used by the City for the ALPS project as a valid exercise of its Home Rule powers, as is set forth in its charter.
July 2023: An ALPS project RFP was issued and notification was sent to shortlist offerors.
June 2023: Sixmo Architecture presented a concept plan for the ALPS project.
June 2023: The City of Avon Lake posted a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) in search of design-build services for the ALPS project.
May 2023: Avon Lake City Council authorized the City of Avon Lake's Recreation Department to go out for bids for the ALPS project.
October 2022: In an effort to move the ALPS project forward despite legal challenges, City Council authorized the Mayor to negotiate a contract with Sixmo to serve as the criteria architect for the project. Sixmo has a proven track record of success in design build projects and will ensure that the project meets the quality standards that our residents expect, from pre-design through construction. The project will utilize the feedback already obtained from the community as we move forward. While we can't predict product availability and other supply chain issues, our project plan is to procure the equipment during the spring and complete construction before the end of Summer 2023. We are confident this reimagined space will be a destination for our community to enjoy for generations to come.
April 25, 2022: Statement from Mayor Zilka made during the City Council Meeting:
As most of you know, for some time the city has been planning to upgrade the playground equipment in Bleser Park. Last year, various city officials, members of council and members of the community spent countless hours working with several prospective playground providers to come up with a suitable plan. We believe the process was open, transparent, fair and legally compliant. Unfortunately, a judge of the Lorain County Common Pleas Court felt that the methodology used was not authorized by the City of Avon Lake's Charter. While we respect the Court's decision we disagree with the ruling and have initiated an appeal. In the meantime, because an appeal may take some time, we are exploring other options to get the playground completed as soon as possible and will be discussing this openly in the next several weeks.
January 2022: Avon Lake City Council unanimously approved a contract with Midstates Recreation for new playground equipment.
December 2021: The existing ALPS structures were dismantled. The two main towers and brick path were preserved to use as the gateway to the new ALPS.
December 8, 2021: A city-wide survey was been completed and the final equipment selections were submitted to Avon Lake City Council for approval.
October 27, 2021: An open house held at Avon Lake Public Library featured boards with photos of equipment options for the new ALPS, families were given the opportunity to vote for their favorites. Residents were also given the opportunity to vote online.