Holbrook Parks and Recreation has a goal of creating more flexible use space in each of the city’s parks.
Parks and Recreation Director John Guttery explained that he has been moving and removing fences to create spaces that can be used for several different activities. For example, at Hunt Park the fencing is being rearranged to create bigger fields that can be used for soccer or football, as well as other sports. The field at the southwest corner of the park is being upgraded so that it can be used for more than just soccer.
A new scoreboard has been installed at the softball field and a new swingset has been placed in the playground. Guttery noted that the men’s softball league paid for the new scoreboard and the city assisted with installation.
At each of the city’s baseball and softball fields, a stabilizer was placed on the infield to prevent the sand from blowing away. Guttery noted that the treatment was successful and will be repeated again this spring to keep the infields in good shape.
At Lizitsky Park, the old sprinkler system has been replaced to improve the grass fields, and at Lewis Park, the outdated soccer goals have been removed. Guttery noted that the goals will be replaced with rolling models that can be moved on and off the field so that it can be used for other sports. New topsoil has also been added at Lewis Park and the field was reseeded. Guttery explained that a frost-free hydrant has also been installed at the park for public use.
According to Guttery, changes made to Gillespie Park at the corner of Navajo and Hopi Drive have resulted in increased use of the park. He noted that the park is more useful with the current configuration, and it has been an ideal site for the summertime Native American dances.
Parks and recreation staff planted 25 trees last spring, and Guttery was proud to report that all 25 are still alive. An additional 10 trees were planted this fall, and he plans to continue planting more trees in the spring.
In the coming year, Guttery noted that he hopes to continue to replace some of the older playground equipment. He also explained that he will continue to work on turning spaces that don’t require grass into xeriscape parks. For example, the small grassy area near the city gym was converted to a low maintenance, low water landscape.
Parks staff will also be busy helping to build the new splash pad, located behind city hall, which will include several sprinkler features, as well as restrooms and benches.
