Parking lot among planned parks-rec amenities

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by Brent Hovey

Reporter

Aurora -- A parking lot, playground, new roof and fireworks were among parks and recreation department items approved by City Council on April 28.

The meeting lasted more than four hours, as Parks-Rec Director Jim Kraus got his share of "yesses" on projects.

First approved was a contract for a parking lot at Kiwanis-Moore Playground on West Pioneer Trail. Perrin Asphalt was hired at a cost of $64,098.

The Town Center recreation area is seeing a lot of development -- a skatepark, baseball field and several future projects -- and Kraus said the new parking lot is much needed.

"This will be a great addition to the area," he said. "It will keep people from parking on the grass and provide a safe location for parents to walk their kids to and from the playground."

The parking lot will have 45 spaces and be located next to Three Elysabethe's parking lot in the same place cars enter and park in the grass now.

Construction should start around May 28, and Kraus said it should take no longer than two weeks.

Next approved was a contract with Wizard of Ah's for the July 4 fireworks at Sunny Lake Park.

Wizard of Ah's put on the show last year, and Kraus said he received a lot of positive feedback from the community, so he obtained a quote again this year.

The contract is worth $17,000. Last year's was $15,500. Wizard of Ah's synchronize its fireworks to music.

"They did a great job last year and everyone seemed to like the show and the new location, so we went with them again," Kraus explained, adding the show will be July 5 at dusk.

THE THIRD parks-rec department item passed will result in a new playground at Sunny Lake Park.

It will be on the north end of the park -- the opposite end from the boathouse -- in hopes of making that area more attractive for pavilion rental.

"We're trying to add amenities to the north end," Kraus said. "When people call to have parties, everybody wants the south end. When we tell them its reserved, they reluctantly take the north end."

The playground will cost $40,492. It will be a metal structure with ropes and plastic pieces intertwined.

Kraus said he saved about $3,200 by hiring a supervisor from Landscape Sculptures instead of a whole crew. The supervisor will oversee city employees, who will install the equipment.

Kraus is hopeful the playground will be completed by the July 5 fireworks date.

The final piece of legislation passed April 28 will allow a new roof to be installed at the barn on the former Chesnes property on East Mennonite Road.

The roof will cost $12,000 and will be provided by Artistic Design Homes.

For many months, there has been talk about what to do with the Chesnes house and land. Kraus said there are no formal plans for the barn, but a new roof is necessary no matter what is done.

"The roof needs fixed," he said. "If it's sold, a new roof is attractive. If it stays with the city, the barn will be used for something -- either storage or a meeting hall -- and fixing the roof won't be a wasteful expense."

E-mail: bhovey@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3115