By MARTHA McCLAIN
Special to the PRESS
Responding to the expanded use of recently upgraded City parks, officials in Laguna Vista last week agreed to install more facilities for outdoor recreation here.
Selecting three of nine proposed amenities, the new additions will cost $17,850. Included will be four new barbecue pits, five picnic tables that will be installed with concrete bases and one larger permanent barbecue pit.
“It’s wonderful to see so many people using the parks, and they are not finished yet,” Mayor Susie Houston said of the major park improvements conducted throughout the town.
Part of a $1.5 million parks project, four Laguna Vista parks have undergone transformation over the past year. Ranging from restrooms to fencing to parking areas, the upgrades have been incorporated into development as construction continues.
At the Sports Park, fencing along the ditch on Hwy. 100, restroom facilities, playground sets and open practice ball fields have been installed.
Roloff Park has a more defined facility with a lighted basketball court, walking trail, recreational equipment and landscaping.
The Nature Trail includes the installation of a decomposed granite waking surface with water features such as ponds and fountains located at rest areas off the trail, which is designed to attract wildlife and enhance the facility.
Officials noted the need for parking at the new walking trail and determined bids should be solicited for the creation of 10-12 vehicle parking spaces. The final determination of actual creation of the parking lot will be made once the facility is officially open to the public.
At Veterans Park, the Town Council approved the construction of a facility to honor the nation’s veterans, including those who were killed or missing in action.
Additional amenities totaling more than $70,000 have been proposed but not approved at the parks, with officials proposing a workshop with the Parks and Recreation Board to further discuss the improvements.
Included are relocating the carved tree adjacent to City Hall to a concrete pad at Roloff Park, a bronze plaque, relocating solar lights, installation of bouncers and bleachers and a playground set with fall-safe material and curbing.
Funding for the parks project comes from a $1.5 million certificate of obligation approved late last year by the council.
Read this story in the Feb. 28 edition of the Port Isabel-South Padre Press, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.
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