Escalante City is requesting Statements of Qualifications from qualified engineering firms to support the Escalante City Park Improvements project, according to a document published October 14.
The city is seeking professionals licensed in the State of Utah to provide services including planning, technical coordination, and engineering design for the park redevelopment.
The proposed improvements for the site include new playground equipment, a pavilion with tables and benches designed for a future kitchen, restrooms, a bike pump track, a dog park, and a walking trail that may connect to other community trails. The city expressed a preference for low-water landscaping to minimize lawn areas.
To fund these improvements, the city intends to pursue multiple sources. These may include Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds through the Five County Association of Government, the Utah Community Parks and Recreation (CPR) grant, the Utah Outdoor Recreation Grant (UORG), the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), and the Recreational Trails Program (RTP). The city is also seeking assistance with grant applications and design services through this request.
The selected firm will be responsible for site improvement design, including grading, drainage, utilities, and construction management. Services may also include surveying and concept planning to support phased construction as funding allows.
Escalante City will evaluate submissions based on a 100-point scale. Criteria include familiarity with the city and the project (30 points), relevant project experience (25 points), competence (20 points), references (15 points), and capacity and communication (10 points).
The project site currently includes an existing building that the city plans to remove. The city anticipates that asbestos abatement for the building removal will be handled separately from the work outlined in this request for qualifications.
Statements of Qualifications must be submitted via email to City Recorder Stephanie Steed by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 30, 2026. Questions regarding the request must be submitted in writing to Steed by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 22, 2026.
Following the submission deadline, the city anticipates making a selection during a City Council meeting on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
