Grass getting greener as work at new Livingston park gets done

LIVINGSTON -- The landscape is getting a little greener in Livingston.

A new six-acre park on Winton Parkway between F Street and Peach Avenue will be ready to use in 30 to 45 days, said City Manager Richard Warne. Crews were finishing laying 240,000 square feet of sod grass Wednesday.

A lot of planning went into the park that will serve as a gathering point for the community, he said.

To conserve resources, Donna Kenney, community development director, found a type of grass that requires less mowing and less water, she said.

The park will feature picnic tables, lights, large play areas and about 75 shade trees, said Garrett Amerine, general manager of Amerine Systems, Inc.

It's meant to be a multiuse field, Warne said. Future additions could include basketball courts.

Like other parks in Livingston, the new site doubles as a storm drain basin to prevent flooding, he added.

"When you have a big storm, all the storm water comes off the streets and goes into the drainage basin," Warne said. "If it's a small storm, you don't ever see any water. If it's a big storm, the pipe fills up, then the water comes up into the pond, then it dissipates back down."

Housing developers paid for the construction of the park as part of an agreement with the city, he said. They will maintain it for 90 days until the city takes it over. Officials expect to handle the upkeep of the park with the maintenance crew it has.

The park hasn't been officially named by the City Council, but is referred to as "Parkside Park," Kenney said.

It's the eighth park in Livingston, and, like other parks, is positioned in a neighborhood where there are a lot of kids around to enjoy it, she said.

The recreational site, which used to be a potato field, has been anticipated by residents since they learned about the plan, said Mayor Daniel Varela Sr.

"A lot went into this whole process," he said.

Varela expects the park to bring families and the community together. "It's the kind of place where a dad can come out here, put some cones out for his kid and kick the ball around," Varela said. "Instead of going across town to another place, mom and dad can come out here, kick back, relax and watch their children."

The park will accommodate a variety of sports, within reason.

"It's going to be appreciated by all the kids and parents, and hopefully -- no golfers," Varela joked.

"Or gophers," Warne replied.

Reporter Mike North can be reached at (209) 385-2453 or mnorth@mercedsun-star.com.