By the time warm weather returns, Plant City residents will have two completed parks to enjoy in spring.
At the City Commission meeting Monday, Jan. 25, Recreation and Parks Department Director Jack Holland told commissioners that Ellis-Methvin Park and Snowden Park would both be completed by March.
Currently, residents are able to use the east side of Ellis-Methvin Park, off Cherry Street, which was purchased in 2002. Construction on the west side of the park began in 2012. Individual fields were added on the west side of the park in 2014.
Last year, improvements were made to Ellis-Methvin at a rapid pace, including irrigation, electric, sidewalks, force main repair and sanitary and stormwater lift station installations.
The quick additions enabled the City of Plant City to host the United States Flag & Touch Football League National Championships at Ellis-Methvin Park and the Otis M. Andrews Sports Complex from Friday, Jan. 15, through Sunday, Jan. 17. The tournament had 413 teams and 15,000 participants, and it has committed to return to Plant City for the next two years.
“It was phenomenal,” City Commissioner Mary Thomas Mathis said. “Kudos to you and your staff for what you’ve done at Ellis-Methvin.”
The main projects that still need to be completed at Ellis-Methvin include adding bleacher pads and creating parking areas and driveways. Once the area is constructed, irrigation and lighting will be added to the parking lot.
Improvements at Snowden Park, south of Historic Downtown, also have been on the fast track. Roofs will be added to the park’s restrooms this month, and a playground is scheduled for installation prior to the park’s completion.
The park still needs ball field fencing, dugouts, an electrical system and an irrigation system but will be ready for use in March.
“I know the community is looking forward to this being completed,” Mayor Rick Lott said.
“Our employees are the ones who are making this happen for the citizens,” City Manager Mike Herr added. “It takes a complete team to support community events.”
Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com.
Ellis-Methvin Improvements
February 2015: irrigation testing
April 2015: electrical units
July 2015: sidewalks added around the west fields
End of 2015: force main repaired; sanitary, stormwater lift stations added
January 2016: construction began on a retaining wall; restrooms and bleachers added to west side
IN OTHER NEWS
• Commissioners approved changing the title of finance director to chief financial officer. This was done to update provisions of the Plant City Code.
• The City Commission approved amendments made to procurements and contracts. The amendments authorize the city manager to reject bids and proposals. As long as the city manager reports the rejection to the City Commission, a formal rejection does not have to be sent out by the City Commission. A formal protest procedure was also put in place, which will allow issues to be addressed before a contract is awarded to a bidder.