Regional park to include dog park, ramadas, lake

The city’s new regional park, adjacent to the future multigenerational facility and aquatic center at the corner of State Route 347 and Bowlin Road, will offer skateboarding, a place to walk dogs and a lake for fishing.

The site plan for the park shows group ramadas for picnicking, horse-shoe pits and an amphitheater by the 5-acre lake, according to the plan approved by the planning and zoning commission Monday.

Jennifer Campbell, director of community services for the city, said some of the features, such as playing fields and a playground, were requested by residents during numerous meetings between residents and Phoenix design firm J2 Engineering and Environmental Design.

“These were the amenities the citizens wanted in their park,” Campbell said.

Other amenities, such as the lake, are a matter of necessity.

“The lake is used to water the turf in the park,” Campbell said.

The amphitheater was added because “we need a place to have our special events,” she said.

The public is invited to attend a ground breaking ceremony for the three facilities 10 a.m. to noon Saturday on the southeast corner of Bowlin and State Route 347.

People are asked to RSVP to the free event by calling 520-316-6975.

Originally the park was going to open in phases with only the lake, playground, softball and baseball fields and lighted soccer fields ready for use, but in September the city council voted to approve a full build-out of the multigenerational, aquatic and park facilities.

All of the projects are being funded using a $65.5 million bond voters approved in November 2008.