1998-162-RES WHEREAS, PARKS AND RECREATION MASTERPLAN FOR COP

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improvements will be meaningless unless the access road is reworked entirely. The old road is covered with mud and eroded severely. This natural facility has much potential and could be developed in several phases if necessary. If adequately designed, the camping area could become an economic boom to the area instead of a liability. Estimated Cost....................................................... .................................. .......................... ......... .......$400,000-600,000 5. Upgrade Parks Citywide Parks throughout the city have play equipment which do not meet current standards for safety or have been vandalized in the past. Some of the equipment is over thirty years old. Shelters are needed in several parks across the city. Tables need to be replaced, especially those with wooden tops or built out of concrete and stone. Handicapped accessible tables are needed. Ballfield fences are in need of replacement, having outlived their useful lives. Estimated Cost............................. ........................... ........ ................. ......... ........... ................. ............................ .$60,000 6. Restroom Facilities Presently, there are public restrooms only at two parks. The city rents portable toilets during the summer months costing $8,000 to $10,000 per year. Permanent vandal resistant restrooms should be built that meet accessibility standards for the handicapped. They should be lockable, well lighted and of course well maintained. Vandal resistant lighting is also a must. Because they are so susceptible to vandalism, restrooms should be built in high use parks such as Culbertson, Oak, and Record. Generally, these are the parks where reservations are made for large groups and restrooms could be unlocked. The smaller neighborhood parks may not need these facilities. Estimated Cost............................. ................................................................................................ .................. .$100,000 7. Paved Parking Many of the parks have gravel or dirt parking facilities. New driveways in Paris must be dust free and thus paved. Paving the parking areas will bring them into compliance with current standards, improve drainage, promote usage of the parks, and improve handicapped and elderly access. Estimated Cost.................................................................................................................................. ....$50,000-175,000 8. Recreation Facilities Many residents in the past have voiced concerns about a community recreation center. A local middle school created a public campaign in 1997 to increase interest. A teen recreation center has received a lot of support as well. Review of this project raises the possibility of developing a multipurpose area consisting of a community recreation center, 2 outdoor basketball courts, 6 lighted tennis courts and 3 baseball/softball practice backstops. Estimated Cost............................................................ ........ ........ ........ ......... ............. .................... .$400,000-$2,000,000 9. Security Ughtinl All parks should be furnished with minimal security lighting to provide safe usage at night, and reduce vandalism and crime. Estimated Cost.............................. .............................. ........ ......... ........ ......... ............. ............................... ........ .$50,000 10. Land Acquisition The city as it expands will need to add parks and recreation land through dedication or purchase. In particular, areas which should be looked at include east of Loop 286 and west of 286 near the U.S. Highway 82 corridor. Inside the Loop, we recommend negotiations with Paris ISD for a possible neighborhood park on the corner of the Crockett Middle School Campus since this area is not served by a nearby, neighborhood park.