Tucson's parks are getting a multi-million dollar makeover

Tucson's parks are about to get a major makeover. The City Council just released a 300 page plan to make all of our parks more beautiful and more useful to our community.

Many of the bigger parks in #Tucson like Jesse Owens Park require $250K in upgrades!! Is your closest park is in need of repairs like this? pic.twitter.com/5HCDIpqV9s

— Alexa Liacko (@AlexaLiacko) October 6, 2016

The city surveyed the 127 parks across Tucson, and there were 44 public meetings to hear public comments and suggestions to discover what improvements each park needs. 

This plan will cost millions of dollars, but the city has a detailed plan to cover the costs. Some of the measures include:

Physical changes you'll eventually see in the parks include:

DANGEROUS? These steps HAD a textured surface to make them less slippery, but it's gone. You can see why this park needs serious repairs. pic.twitter.com/Rvy4mqBrQ7

— Alexa Liacko (@AlexaLiacko) October 6, 2016

One of the most notable changes is the removal of grass. It's very expensive to mow and water, so the city is working to save money there and divert those funds to necessary repairs. This will not happen in every park, and the grass that may be removed will be turned into useable picnic space or space for other activities.

 

Another part of this plan includes starting outreach to more local programs. One goal is to get volunteers involved in maintaining the parks, but the plan also includes outreach to start classes for seniors and the disabled.

 

Of course this is a multi-year, long term plan that will be implemented as funding becomes available.