By Kelly Kelbly, Interim Parks & Recreation Director
Few things are more disappointing for young athletes than when a much-anticipated sports event is rained out.
The Parks & Recreation staff shares that pain.
You spend endless hours practicing your sport in preparation for competitive or recreational play. At the same time, we spend untold hours preparing the fields. Unfortunately, it takes just one significant thunderstorm to cause a rainout.
When such adverse circumstances arise, our staff is laser-focused on getting the fields playable and limiting the turnaround time as much as possible. Facility improvements are on the way at Veterans Park and Athletic Complex to simplify that daunting task.
The College Station City Council recently approved a $1.9 million contract that includes drainage improvements for the front six fields that will funnel water away from the playing surfaces. Concrete flumes will also be constructed between the fields, and sidewalks will be added throughout the complex to enhance accessibility and safety.
But that’s not all.
We recognize that younger siblings quickly become bored waiting for games or practices to end. That’s why we’re adding two military-themed playgrounds to enhance the spirit of a park that celebrates our nation’s veterans.
Additional enhancements included in the project are a new restroom at the south end and the reconstruction of the park’s three roundabouts.
We expect the work to be complete by next spring. In the meantime, we also understand the project will create challenges and frustrations for park users. The road work will cause intermittent closures of the Harvey Road and University Drive entrances, and at times, we’ll need to restrict access from the north to the south end of the park.
Work around the front six fields will require a construction fence to protect visitors, and caution signs will be posted throughout the park and along roadways. We urge you to heed all warnings for the safety of your family.
For updates on the project, along with all our programs and events, we encourage you to subscribe to our weekly Recreation Connection eNewsletter. For more information, contact us at 979-764-3486 or parks@cstx.gov.
Veterans Park and Athletic Complex is a jewel in our parks system, attracting more than one million local and out-of-town visitors a year. We appreciate your understanding and support as we make this fantastic complex even more impressive.
About the Blogger
Interim Director Kelly Kelbly is in her 20th year with the College Station Parks & Recreation Department. A native of Gilmer, Kelly is a 1998 graduate of Texas A&M.
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