Parks Bond nears completion

With the construction of Alderman Park which began in October 2012, the city has completed, or is in process of completing, almost all of the projects identified in the 2006 Parks Bond. Following is an update: Out of 16 identified projects, 10 have been completed and 4 others are in progress. Two projects identified in the original bond have not been done because the non-city partnering agencies were not able to complete their portions of the planned projects.

Completed projects ADA (American with Disabilities Act) improvements       $600,000 Greenfield Park Amphitheater       $500,000 Love Grove Park       $400,000 Maides Park       $900,000 MLK Center       $600,000 NorthSide Splashpad       $400,000 Bike/Greenway System       $1 million City/County Joint Parks      $7.5 million Baseball/Softball complex (Olsen Park) - Phase I*         Tennis complex (Empie Park)           Total        $11.9 million

*Only Phase I of the Olsen Park project was included in the 2006 Parks Bond.

Work on Phase II of Olsen Park is well underway and included the installation of amenities such as a picnic shelter and landscaping. 

Development continues at Olsen Park with the current construction of the Miracle Field and a large playground from over $1 million in privately raised funds. The city is also in the process of installing sand volleyball courts at Olsen Park.

MarStella Park        Olsen Park					In progress Alderman Park       Construction for Phase I began Oct. 28, 2012; completion expected March 2013        $200,000                   Annexation Area Parks        Land acquisition and park development at Inland Greens; development of park in Seagate neighborhood (donated land accepted at Nov. 7 council meeting) and Gary Shell Cross-City Trail         $2.5 million                   Inland Greens Golf Course        Stormwater, park and golf course improvements planned; in final stages of design and permitting        Construction bid opening planned for summer 2013                   Park land Purchase        Approximately $2.2 million for Olsen Park land acquisition; $1 million for Water Street deck acquisition; $436,000 for pocket park in northern downtown; $412,500 for Gary Shell Cross-City Trail        $4.7 million spent and $655,000 remaining                    Downtown Parks        Water Street parking deck (part of area for deck identified as potential park area) and MarStella Park (between 2nd and 3rd streets)        $1 million