Council moves forward with wellness park plans

WASHINGTON - Progress is continuing to be made on the Washington Wellness Park as the city council approved a resolution that will allow for the authorization of bids at its meeting Tuesday night.

The wellness park will be located along E Avenue, currently an access road, and will be accomplished in phases. As part of phase one of the project, four baseball fields, two soccer fields, four and volleyball courts and a concession/restroom structure will be built.

A trail running through the park will link up with the Kewash trail and down to the site of the new YMCA. AT the baseball fields, they will all be adjacent to each other forming a circle with home plate facing in. In the middle will be 5,500 square yards of concrete space, according to a map sent to the council, where the concession stand will be. Adjacent to the fields will be batting cages and eventually a playground which will be integrated in phase two.

Parks Superintendent Nick Pacha said the department is looking into purchasing four sets of bleachers, one for each field. At the soccer fields, bleachers are being discussed but have not been purchased yet. The fields will compliment the existing ones in town and will be the largest Washington has to offer.

The council will hold a public hearing on March 17 and will consider the bids for approval at the April 7 meeting. According to a proposed schedule sent to the council, construction is set to begin May 4 and wrap up November 30.