BUENA PARK : Peak Park to Get Real Ball Diamonds

For more than 20 years, boys and girls in the city’s P-Nut baseball program have played ball on the grass at William Peak Park.

But next season, the 850 youngsters in the program will be playing on baseball fields with infields and backstops.

Three ball fields will be built as part of a $255,000 renovation project at the community park on El Dorado Street between Knott and Western avenues.

“The kids are going to be happy,” said Richard Trujillo, a P-Nut baseball coach. “I think it’s going to make the kids feel like they’re really playing baseball. It’ll help their self-esteem because they’ll be playing on a real ball field instead of a little patch of grass.

“I’m glad (the city) did this for the children so they can have a nice facility to play in.”

The City Council on Monday awarded a contract to States Link Construction Inc. of Cerritos for $254,522 to make the improvements at the park.

Wes Morgan, director of recreation, parks and community services, said the project--the first major renovation to the park in 10 years--is funded by state park grants.

City officials said improvements have been long-awaited at the nine-acre park, built about 30 years ago. It is also home to the city’s 50-meter swimming pool and site for the annual Silverado Days carnival.

“It’ll be an improved park facility,” said Councilman Donald L. Bone. “It’ll mean better ball fields for our P-Nut baseball program.”

The popular baseball and picnicking park will also get new restrooms--the existing building will be torn down--and a second picnic shelter with barbecue grills, sinks and tables to accommodate requests for company gatherings.

A play area with new equipment, which replaced worn-out wooden equipment, was completed a few months ago.

Construction is scheduled to begin Oct. 26 with completion expected by Jan. 1, in plenty of time before the start of the P-Nut baseball season in March, Morgan said.

Morgan said $400,000 was budgeted for the park improvements. But since bids came in lower than expected, additional renovations are planned. They include upgrading the pool, adding more parking and building concession stands for the ball fields.