Quick update- my eyeballs are tired.
Met with the great people from Glatting Jackson Kercher Anglin, the community planning and design group that will be developing the master plan for future development at Helen McCall. They put on a great presentation to start, with a clear description of the property, the uses, the site restrictions, then we started discussing what we wanted to see at the park.
We touched on many details that will be discussed more later, like xeriscape, dark night lighting, and such. The basic thrust of this meeting was to get some concrete want and needs on the table.
We started all this knowing that this area needed a playground, and we are getting the playground. Also, the playing fields need expansion, ADA compliance needs to be addressed (there is currently zero compliance), pavilions and gathering spaces are needed, and walking/fitness trails.
Then the list went on to include a multi-purpose building for indoor recreation options and indoor hoops, an outdoor basketball area, swimming pool, tennis courts, and a skate park.
Glatting Jackson hits the drawing boards all day tomorrow. Johnny Earles is graciously letting them use his conference room at his office in Gulf Place (thanks!)
The next meeting is Wednesday night, 6 pm at the Annex. If you want to have input, either show up at the meeting, or you are welcome to stop by Mr. Earles office tomorrow and the Glatting Jackson crew would be happy to hear your suggestions or answer your questions.
We recognize that not everything we want will fit on the 6 usable acres at Helen McCall, and that money is a big consideration. However, we want to keep the swimming pool as the next option for County recreation expansion since a community pool is a vital asset to the entire community- used by people of all ages, the schools for teams, and for water safety course and such. We must keep looking ahead!
Thanks again to Cindy meadows for her support!
C'mon c'mon! We will be looking at prelim plans tonight---