City Council adopts park master plan

A community park in Covington has taken a leap forward.

The City Council unanimously approved the adoption of the 180th/240th Park Master Plan at the meeting Tuesday following a presentation of the details.

The plan calls for a phased build out with the cost estimated at about $10 million.

The park plan includes sports fields for soccer, baseball, softball, lacrosse and other sporting events. An open lawn area for recreation and picnics, a performing arts plaza, trails, a toddler play area, basketball and tennis courts, picnic shelters and parking.

The fist phase calls for two full-size soccer fields with baseball and softball overlays and a tot play area.

Scott Thomas, the parks and recreation director, said the city will be applying for multiple grants to help play for the project.

“This is a very nice plan,” Jeff Wagner, mayor pro-tem, said. “It’s nice to see after almost 20 years we are going to see something for our citizens.”

Mayor Margaret Harto said “it is impossible for you to imagine how exciting this piece of paper (the plan) is.”

Councilman Mark Lanza said he wished the city had the money to start immediately, but his one concern was the “teen activity area being put off. Is there anyway we can move the teen activity area into phase one?”

Harto also noted the teens are “left out in this community. Almost every housing development has a tot play area, but there is no place for the teens to go.”

Contact Covington Reporter Regional Editor Dennis Box at dbox@maplevalleyreporter.com or 425-432-1209 ext. 5050.

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read.