Park District Funds $5 Million in Projects

Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District’s newly approved $5-million budget will fund several projects, including a community center, park, skateboard facility and playground equipment.

The largest chunk of the 1997-98 budget is targeted for a community center in Mission Oaks Park. A little more than $1.5 million, which has accumulated over the past several years, has been set aside to help pay the $3 million needed to build a gymnasium and meeting rooms.

“We’re trying to build up enough money over the next couple of years so that we can build it without going for a bond issue,” said John Williamson, district general manager.

The next largest budget expenditure is $200,000 for the development of Lokker Park on the west side of town.

Williamson said preliminary park plans will soon be drawn up and a survey sent to area residents to determine what they want added or deleted.

Another set of plans will be drawn up and the project will go out to bid.

Lokker Park was named after Eldred Lokker, district general manager from 1969 to 1996, prior to his death in March.

The budget also includes $100,000 for a 10,000-square-foot skateboard park at Pleasant Valley Park. Williams will accept proposals from architects for the next month. Once an architectural firm has been hired, it will meet with skateboarders and other community members to evaluate the preferences for the new park.

Also, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the park district plans to have all its parks and equipment accessible to disabled residents by the year 2000.