By Lee Weyhrich
The phased plans for Pinson’s new park were released at the Pinson City Council meeting last week.
Phase I could conceivably be completed in the next 15 months. The total cost of all phases could amount to more than $1.8 million over the course of several years.
Preparation for the first phase would take roughly eight months, and the actual work would take another seven, meaning the park could be open by next fall, Jane Ross of landscaping firm Goodwyn Mills & Cawood said. The project has been split into three phases in order of priority.
Phase I, estimated at a total cost of $800,000, would include basic amenities and infrastructure necessary for future plans. An event center complete with meeting room, offices and full restroom facilities with showers is a major priority. Parking areas, a maintenance building, playground, service road, architectural entrance sign, walking path and a nine-hole disc golf course would make up foundation of all future plans.
Phase I would also include lighting, landscaping, excavation and a septic tank for restroom facilities.
Phase II would include a splash pad adjacent to the event center with easy access to the showers built in the first phase. A park ranger office, a veterans’ memorial, additional walkways, a dog park, a secondary entrance gate from Glenn Brook Road, overflow parking and additional lighting would also be included in this phase. Total cost of Phase II is an estimated $468,000, assuming changes are not made to the plans, which Ross asserts are flexible.
The final phase of the project, encompassing an amphitheater and open air pavilion, a bridge over Dry Creek leading to the community center and yet more landscaping and lighting, is estimated to cost an additional $582,000. The pavilion alone is estimated at $254,240.
The total estimate may have been more than the city council was expecting. The city council will meet Thursday at 6:30 p.m. to discuss options and determine the best course of action. Councilwoman Dawn Tanner said she saw where several changes could be made.
“As in all things we try to do for the city, we want to make (this) the best we can do,” Councilman John Churchwell said.
“And I want to make sure we can pay for it,” Mayor Hoyt Sanders said with a laugh.
The council would like to receive feedback from the community regarding the project, Sanders said.
The balloon note on Pinson City Hall will need to be paid soon, and the council may vote to finance the park project so Phase I can begin, and pay off the building loan in cash.