Town Moving Ahead With New 60-acre Park

Town officials are moving forward to build the first phase of a new 60-acre park on Glen Laurel Road in East Clayton, after a favorable response to the project at a recent public forum and a thumbs-up from the Town Council.

"Everybody knows it's going to be a good thing," said Mayor Jody McLeod.

Just how much of the park will get built in the short term is unclear, however, since cost estimates for all amenities top $10 million and the town has less than a quarter of that available for first phase construction. Officials hope it will be enough to build a couple of athletic fields, a playground and hiking trails.

The first phase of construction will be financed with a $1.8 million share of the $4 million bond issue for parks approved by voters in a referendum last year. A $475,000 County grant is also available for the park.

Town Manager Steve Biggs says officials plan to move ahead quickly with construction of as much of the park as possible to take advantage of falling construction prices.

Here is a rundown of amenities included on the master plan:

• A full-size soccer field with synthetic turf instead of natural grass. By installing synthetic turf, the field will be able to handle a large amount of use, much more than a grass field would allow. Play could begin there earlier, too, since installing turf is quicker than getting a grass field into playing condition.

• A 350-foot full-size baseball field.

• A large multi-use field.

• A two-mile walking trail around the park.

• A playground area with picnic shelter and restrooms.

• A disc golf course.

• A total of 270 parking spaces throughout the park.

• And, maybe an off-leash dog park, though the town might opt to put one or more dog parks in other locations.

Parks & Recreation Director Larry Bailey said residents attending the recent public forum indicated a strong interest in walking trails.