Aberdeen Parks Dept. lists projects for next six years

A variety of new projects are being planned at Aberdeen parks in the next few years. At the City Council meeting Wednesday, the Parks and Recreation Department submitted its six-year comprehensive report for public hearing, which would go through 2023 if passed. This report includes new park ideas, updates and remodeling for current parks.

The list doesn’t indicate a commitment to undertake any of the projects, but represents an order of priority if money should become available. Many grant programs require such priority lists of the applicants.

Parks Director Stacie Barnum said the priorities are shaped by public hearings like Wednesday’s, as well as surveys sent to city residents. Barnum said the department received about 300 responses from the 6,000 surveys it sent out, suggesting changes and additional projects. Locals can also attend either of the next two city council meetings on March 14 and 28 to comment about them. Here are the nine projects for 2018-2022:

• Construction of a new indoor sports facility at the Bishop Complex.

This will be a 125 by 175-foot metal building with a turf floor, meant as an indoor practice field for baseball, softball, soccer or golf. It is replacing a smaller building at the complex. This project is in partnership with Grays Harbor College, which has already given $225,000 for construction.

• Complete a feasibility study for an RV park

• New playground area for Garley Park

• Remodel and upgrades to disc golf

• Complete remodel of Peterson Playfield

• Build a dog park at a location to be determined

• Large picnic shelter at Sam Benn Park

• Repair and/or replace bridges at Stewart Park

• New boat launch at a location to be determined.