By Louis Zylka
The 830 Times
The city council has given its approval for the submission of an application for $750,000 to help build an all-inclusive children’s park.
The local park grant program application will be submitted to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department for funding towards constructing an all-inclusive playground on the site of the “Field of our Dreams” Del Rio community sports park, located off Kings Way on the city’s north side.
During a discussion of the grant application July 11, Mayor Al Arreola called for a motion to allow staff to submit the application. Councilman J.P. Sanchez made the motion to approve the resolution and Councilman Jesus Lopez Jr. gave the second.
The estimated amount to complete the construction of the park and additional amenities to the sports park will cost $1.5 million. The application for the playground will be submitted to the TP&WD’s Local Park Grant Program for $750,000, and the city will provide a 50 percent match of $750,000 to round out the funding.
Councilman Jim DeReus asked what the finance plan will be if the city doesn’t get the grant and wanted to make sure there are options being discussed in case the application is denied.
Finance Director Alberta Barrett said if plans fall through and the funding is not approved, the city will have to break the additional projects for the sports park into phases and complete them over a period of time. The projects also include adding shade coverings and batting cages to the park. She said staff can also try to get sponsors to help complete the projects.
Michael Garcia, assistant to the city manager, said the deadline to submit the application is Aug.1, adding the city has been working with the Langford Community Management Services to help complete the application.
Garcia said they have already started doing work on the projects. If the funding is approved, the rest of the construction will last a few weeks. Because the grant is based off the master plan, the city will need to apply for its “top five priorities,” which includes the all-inclusive park and shading for the sports park. Garcia mentioned they also want to build restrooms, water fountains, batting cages and bleachers for the sports park.
“We are very optimistic that we have a really good chance of getting funds for this project,” Garcia said.
If funding is approved by the application, the all-inclusive park will be completed, and it will be named Nicky’s Dreamland. The park will include a musical and sensory area, a treehouse and a swing zone.
More information about the park is available at www.NickysDreamland.org .
