by TaLeiza Calloway – news@thenewsleaders.com
Work to spruce up Cloverdale Park could begin as early as June after city council members approved funding for planned improvements.
The St. Joseph Park Board voted previously to spend no more than $25,000 on the park improvements. Because the estimated cost of improvements is more than $3,000, the project required council approval. The city council must approve expenditures that exceed $3,000 under the city’s ordinance.
Park-board members have established a subcommittee to oversee the project with St. Joseph Public Works Director Terry Thene leading the project. Thene told officials he has requested help from the Sentence-to-Serve program to help bring down development costs.
Upgrades include the addition of a gazebo in the middle of the park, plantings and a weaving walkway around the neighborhood park. The goal is for it to be transformed into a contemplative park.
Improvements to Cloverdale Park are part of the city’s master park plan. Created in 2008, the park plan proposed upgrades that include the addition of a gazebo, labyrinth, a walking trail, granite monuments, landscaping and other site amenities. The estimated cost of the proposed improvements in the 2008 park plan is about $230,000. Park board members scaled down improvements due to the high price tag. The park improvements for Cloverdale are slated to be completed next year.
Volunteers are needed to help with the project. Those interested in collaborating with the park board on the Cloverdale project can email board chairman John Anderson at: johnand1951@charter.net.