Advocate editorial board opinion: New park will add to quality of life in Victoria
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A new park for Victoria seems to be on its way to being a reality. And we think with the news of any park being added to the city, the quality of life in Victoria is enhanced that much more.
We were pleased to hear that the planned 125-acre park on Airline Road is being developed after about a year delay because of the economy.
The future park is located between the Tanglewood and Tangerine subdivisions with Lone Tree Creek flowing in the middle of it.
The land, originally city land dedicated to flood control, will have its use amended to include the park.
A matching grant received in August 2009 from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, specifically earmarked for an Airline park, will be used to develop the park. The state's $500,000 grant was matched to the city's park property value of $500,000. However, the city will pay separately for parking and restroom facilities out if its budget.
According to Doug Cochran, director of parks and recreation for the city, the park will have a water playground, pavilion and practice baseball fields, soccer fields and football field.
Also, the park will have paved parking and restrooms available. In addition, a hike-and-bike trail will be available for nature enthusiasts.
We were excited by the park and hope that future plans include or will employ the city's walking and riding trail network. We continue to urge the city to develop a master trail plan that could be included in the parks master plan.
Such a plan would more efficiently serve to build the trail system bit by bit in a contrived and constructive way to connect all city parks.
Last year, Cochran said that numerous drainage ways and creeks run through the city and those corridors could be used as trails to connect parks.
"One was never done. Developing services looked at incorporating a master trail plan, but there's no funding for it," Cochran said.
While we are excited by this new park, which will be finished by July 2012, we also continue to push for a citywide trail master plan that could be included in the parks master plan.
This editorial reflects the views of the Victoria Advocate's editorial board.
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With new parks coming online and with associated maitainance costs, does this mean the City of Victoria has the money to mow the weeds on the current right of way properties? Time for a fresh look.
February 24, 2011 at 10:19 a.m.Multi billion dollar state budget shortfalls. The $500,000 "grant" for this park could have gone back to the State to help cover some essential services.
How about the $100,000 a year in costs to maintain this park?
Businesses closing (tax base leaving town), people unemployed, medical costs rising, gasoline costs over $3 but the "city" continues to spend taxpayer money like there is no tomorrow.
Tomorrow, and many, many tomorrows to come, Victoria taxpayers are going to be paying for the huge amount of debt that continue to climb. Just two years ago the city budget didn't have enough money to cover the costs of maintaining the parks that already exist but today we are building more. Go figure!
February 24, 2011 at 10:12 a.m.Pondering..... "quality of life in Victoria is enhanced that much more" There is much to think about regarding that statement. There is also a price that goes along with it. Still Pondering if this is a good thing or a waste of future tax payers money for the up keep.
February 23, 2011 at 8:54 p.m.