The city of Airway Heights is laying out the groundwork for a future park, located on the eastern part of the city.
At its Jan. 5 meeting, the City Council approved the purchase of 2.06 acres of land from Vandervert Development Inc. for $100,000 for the purpose of park development. The land is located off 12th Avenue, adjacent to Walmart.
At its Dec. 14 meeting, the city’s Parks Board agreed to forward a recommendation of purchasing the land to the council. According to parks, recreation and community services director, J.C. Kennedy, the development of a park near the Sekani Development fits in with the Parks and Recreation master plan, which is to have “every home in the city within the service area of a park.”
The parcel of land has an assessed value of $359,380 though Kennedy explained that Richard Vandervert, owner of Vandervert Development, is willing to sell the property to the city for less than the current value.
During the council meeting, Mayor Patrick Rushing asked what funds the city could use for the land. Kennedy said the city could use the $77,868.49 in the Park Reserve Fund. He proposed that the city borrow money from another fund to pay the $22,085.78 balance. The city would use park impact fees that come in 2015 to pay back the money it borrows from the selected fund.
Kennedy explained that the effort to install a park near the Sekani Development was spearheaded when Paul Freeman came before the City Council at a November 2014 meeting and asked them to consider putting in some sort of park in that area.
“When Mr. Freeman brought his concerns to the council, the priority of putting a park in that area moved up,” Kennedy said.
Freeman has lived in the Sekani Development area since 2011. While he has seen a lot of development and growth, he and other residents feel that “now is the time to have a park in the area.”
“We’re not looking for anything fancy, nothing high-cost,” Freeman said. “Just somewhere where neighbors can get together and talk. A place where people can walk their dog.”
When the city was looking into the area, there were others parcels of land but not many that were open for park development. The city was negotiating with Craig Condron, owner of Condron Homes, who suggested they speak with Vandervert.
“It was nice to have that help, it worked out for us,” Kennedy said.
Once the land is purchased, Kennedy said the city will focus on paying back the $22,085.78 balance, as well as connect with residents in the area and learn what features they would like in the new park.
“The park will probably have some age-appropriate playground equipment, trees and shade, but our main goal is to engage these residents and see what they want close to their house,” Kennedy said.
Al Stover can be reached at al@cheneyfreepress.com.
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