By Lee Weyhrich
Phase one of the Pinson park project could begin construction as early as February.
Jane Ross, of Goodwin Mills Cawood, announced updated plans for the park at Thursday’s council meeting. Many changes have been made to the park design since Ross last visited the council. Since that time a complete topographical survey has been done on the property. The new plans have been based around these findings and will include many existing natural features. The main building has now been placed on the top of the hill overlooking both the playground and the amphitheater.
Phase one includes a walking trail, an event center, a maintenance building, an amphitheatre and a playground. A nine-hole disc golf course with three practice holes is also included. At an estimated cost of $1.2 million, Ross expects the project to be complete 10 to 12 months from that time; no later than February, 2015.
The amphitheater will be made up of terraced grassy areas, capable of seating 230 people comfortably. The covered stage will be 36 feet by 40 feet with a backing wall.
The event center, will include a party room with garage-style doors that open on a covered patio, restrooms with shower facilities, a rangers office with a view of most of the park’s major features, storage, and a pump room and ticket booth for the future splash pad.
A splash pad with separate sections for children 2-5, and for children 5-12, has been added as an alternate in phase one depending on budgetary feasibility towards the end of the first phase. This splash pad design would allow for 90 children to use the facility at one time. There will also be covered sitting areas for parents at both the splash pad and the nearby playground.
If the splash pad is not feasible in this phase it will likely be part of phase two the following year.
Also discussed was the color scheme of the park’s buildings. Ross suggested blues and grays, however the council overwhelmingly vetoed that choice in favor of Pinson Valley High School’s crimson.
Other, non-related items discussed Thursday were Pinson’s new sidewalks, a project city officials said will help increase safety along the highways, especially on game nights. The council also discussed changing the annual Christmas parade from the second weekend in December to the first weekend to avoid scheduling conflicts.
The council went into executive session to discuss pending litigation and a real estate deal of a competitive nature. After exiting the closed session, the council then ended the meeting without adjourning in order to reconvene on Friday at 4 p.m.
