Bower Park to get Facelift

Congratulations to the combined efforts of Assembly member Jim Woods and the County Board of Supervisors to secure $2.2 million dollars in State funds to help restore Bower Park.

The BOS identified improvements referencing the Park Needs Assessment as a high priority list focusing on safety issues that include more tree removal, fire and fuel mitigation, ADA improvements and installing electricity throughout the park in phase one.

The County Park Needs Assessment also recognized the concerns of dying trees, poor maintenance, facilities in disrepair, hardscape cracking and a number of potential safety issues that need to be addressed.

Assembly member Woods identified the need to provide funds for an accessible and safe place for youth baseball and soccer. Providing social, meeting and recreational opportunities are also a high priority.

The County stated that the BOS will be conducting community outreach to seek input on other types of park improvements. The BOS and or GMAC would like to hear from you. Your responses will help create a list of improvements that are important to you and will help guide the future repairs to Bower Park.

The reality is the $2.2 million dollars will only be able to restore a portion of the park. The funds from the State will be a great start, but we are going to need more money from the County to complete the restoration of Bower Park. The basketball court, community room, nature trail, par course and tennis courts are identified in the park assessment as in poor condition.

I encourage everyone to reach out to your elected officials either through the County or GMAC websites to register your concerns and priorities. You can also take the GMAC Community Survey. Log onto Gualalamac.org and take the survey. Your responses will help communicate with the County BOS on what is important to you.