Now that winter appears to be over, the Clearwater Public Works crew can get outside and start working on the city’s parks.

 

This past week they were busy preparing for the summer.

 

Public Works Supervisor  John Schmidt was taking elevations in Eldorado Park, getting ready to move dirt as the first step for a new youth baseball field.

“We should be able to get a 280-foot field in there with no problem,” he said.

 

The ground is higher at the southwest corner of the park where the baseball field is going. So the crew will be removing 5 1/2 feet of dirt on one end and using it in the north part of the park as the base for new basketball courts, which could be done by late June.

 

At Sportsman’s Park, Nick Schmidt and Abe Knowles were busy with big equipment, digging dirt and clearing brush to change the disc golf course and prepare for new playground equipment.

 

“The St. Cloud Disc Golf Club went the council and asked if they could change the course around,” said Schmidt. “They’re designing the course and we’re helping them open it up.”

The entire course will be different. All the baskets will have new locations. But once it’s completed, the upgraded course will qualify to hold state tournaments. That should be done by late June.

 

The new Sportsman’s Park playground equipment is already at the maintenance building, waiting to be installed by the crew.

 

Last fall, the crew built pavilions at different city parks. Winter showed up too early for them to pour the foundations, so that’s another job for the spring.

 

“The pavilions will have concrete bases and picnic tables,” said Schmidt.

 

The crew has also prepared the site at Riverside Park for its new playground equipment, which was supposed to be delivered last August.

 

“Now it was supposed to be here in early May,” said Schmidt. “But it’s not here yet.”

 

Once it’s delivered, the crew will work with one of the representatives from the playground company to get it installed. 

 

By late June, the parks should have a new look, but the crew will be busy.

 

“We’ve got a lot of stuff on our plate,” said Schmidt.