Work Continues on All-Abilities, Skate Park Projects

Work on the All-Abilities playground and the skate park are on track, Darren Dunkle, parks director, told the park board Thursday night.

Engineering plans for the playground have been received from BFA.

Dunkle said he is working to complete specifications and that he expects to go out to bid soon on the first phase of the project.

Phase one includes concrete work, asphalt, storm sewers, curbs and sidewalk, playground base pad, fencing, retaining walls and pavement marking.

The second phase will include the playground equipment and surfacing.

While phase one is out to bid, the parks department and public works staff will be doing in-house work, Dunkle said, including finishing site grading.

The work should be completed around the same time phase one of the contract has been awarded.

Skate Park

Dunkle told the board that construction on the skate park, at Optimist Park on East Ninth Street, should begin soon.

Completion of the park is expected before the first of the year.

Washington City Council approved a contract with American Ramp Company, doing business as Hardcore Shotcrete Skateparks.

To keep the disruption to tennis players to a minimum, construction of the skate park has been coordinated with construction of the Phoenix Park tennis courts.

The new tennis courts are now substantially complete. A grand opening celebration was scheduled for Friday, Sept. 7, at the courts.