MOUNT VERNON — Several improvements at city parks are under way or about to start, Public Buildings and Land Superintendent Paul G. Oliver reported Friday at the mayor’s weekly news briefing.
Land at Arch Park for the community gardens has been laid out and roto-tilled. After a fertilizer application, it will be tilled again. A fence will be erected and a hydrant has been ordered to provide water for irrigation.
An organizational meeting will be held later this month for allocating space.
Oliver said he has been working with Leadership Knox on the installation of a batting cage beside Field 3 at Memorial Park. He has been working with Steve McCurdy of Parkside Restaurant on the project.
Oliver has been working with Jeff Salva on preparing bid specifications for the construction of a small (30-foot by 40-foot) shelter house and adjoining parking lot at Riverside Park. The parking lot will be off Sugar Street on the site where the horseshoe pits used to be.
Oliver said the project should be completed by fall.
Rain One Irrigation Systems of Blacklick has been taking measurement and will soon be installing the new sprinkling system at Hiawatha Park. The system will end the need for keeping employees late to water the grass and also allow the city to apply treatments to the grass through the season.
The work will be done by the time the park opens in early June.