Eldorado Park in the Cedar South Development area could be getting some major improvements as early as this fall.

 

Last week, the Clearwater City Council approved the expenditure of up to $350,000 for the first phase of park upgrade - the playground area.

 

Proposed plans for the park have included a multi-purpose pavilion, splash pad, playground, basketball courts, open free space, new parking areas and ballfields. 

 

Those plans have been modified a few times over the past year, but the current park board has been reviewing a few preliminary drawings of components they feel will create a unique playground area.

 

One of the biggest changes from the first park design is the concept of a non-traditional rope structure for the main playground. The unique design is unlike other playgrounds in the area and is sure to attract people from other areas.

 

Administrator Kevin Kress said different vendors have submitted designs for the playground, including a multi-purpose area for younger children and a double zip-line which can be used by any age group. 

 

“If people really like them we have room to put more,” says Kress.

 

The park board likes different components from each vendor, so the overall playground design will likely be a combination of each vendor’s design.

 

“We asked for different quotes for different pieces so we could design it our own way,” says Kress. “We asked for the CAD file from our engineers to get the measurements within the square footage. Eventually, after we’ve picked the structures, I’ll probably have the engineer put it into the design.”

 

Kress said the park board is still deciding on the type of material for the ground. It could be either wood chips, turf or poured-in-place rubberized material. There are also electrical and irrigation components  involved.

 

“If we can get the final design this next week, we could potentially start in October. But it might end up being a spring project. It just depends on if they can mobilize,” says Kress. “We wanted to do it in the off-season so people can use what’s there for now, and in the down time they can start construction.”

 

Kress says after the playground, the next components will likely be the basketball courts and the pavilion.