City Plans Upgrades for Heil Park

The city intends to move forward with it's continued plans to improve and expand , Mayor Sal Panto announced at a press conference today.

Standing in front of the field house that received a major upgrade just a few years ago, and not far from a water park area added to the pools over the last two years, Panto said a recent $200,000 grant the city has received was the impetus for the announcement.

The upgrades, as seen on a master plan in the earliest stages, will include a soccer field, a track, two baseball fields, a football field, and parking for about 150 cars and improved access, Public Works Director David Hopkins said.

Hopkins said the city hopes to start work on the project by sometime next year, but that hinges on the city's getting federal approval for the plan, as any project disturbing more than an acre of land is required to.

“I'm hoping within the next four to five months we can have our permit submitted. That process could take six, nine or twelve months,” he said. “We just don't know.”

The federal application won't be submitted until public input is taken on the project, and adjacent neighbors are contacted as well.

Within what can be done in the park, Hopkins said suggestions are welcome and encouraged.

“We're very open to ideas and input,” he said. “Whatever happens here will be a drastic improvement.”

Once the project is underway, Hopkins said it should go quickly, and won't cause a major disturbance to recreational activities too much.

“With good turf management, we can turn this over very quickly,” he said.

While the plans for the project are still being worked out, the total bill is expected to be about $400,000 to $450,000. In addition to the grant for $200,000, there is approximately $137,000 in the city's recreation fund from developer impact fees, and despite cuts to the program, will likely cover the rest, Panto said.

Three additional unimproved, adjacent parcels the city purchased last month for a total of $33,000 including closing costs will be added to the site, but other than that, the park's boundaries will remain the same, Panto said, adding that Heil Park is bigger than most people realize.

Easton Councilman Ken Brown, a South Side resident on hand for the announcement, applauded the plan.

“It's been a long time coming,” Brown said. “We have a great track and recreation program, but it's not in the city. I'm glad to see it go forward.”