Cameron New Community Park Construction Update

The City of Cameron this (Wednesday) afternoon made the following news release updating the citizens about the status of a new community park.  Earlier in the morning Drew Bontrager, City Public Works and Parks Director, was our guest on The Breakfast Club to discuss the new park.

NEWS RELEASE:
September 15, 2021

The Cameron Parks Department would like to let everyone know everything is now in place to bid the construction of
the new community park. Proceeding with the bid process had been delayed for several months while we awaited
formal approval and award of a federal grant for the park. Now the Parks Department has received a waiver to allow
us to proceed with the park prior to receiving the official notice of award.
Following the City Council’s recent vote to dedicate the first round of American Recovery Plan Act, ARPA, funding to
water and sewer infrastructure in northeast Cameron, which includes lines serving the new park, the Park Board was
able to revisit the park construction budget and expand and even add some items not previously possible due to
budget constraints. Those items identified by the Park Board as being top priorities include: improved irrigation
system for sports fields, clearing of additional land for open multi-use greenspace, additional practice baseball fields
and sod for the fully finished baseball and soccer fields. As funding allows based on the bid amounts we receive, the
Park Board also identified an initial phase of a destination playground, pickleball court(s), and protective shade
covers and netting for spectators at baseball fields.
The Park Board would also like to let everyone know about the creation and progress of the Cameron Amphitheater
Board (CAB). This is led by Billy Lowenstein and their fundraising of private money to construct a grand community
amphitheater. CAB will work with the Park Board to provide not only the amphitheater and associated
infrastructure, but also the services associated with booking and managing the outdoor community concert and
event center. Without their efforts, this undertaking would not be possible.
With the bids going out soon, construction on the park itself should start this winter. The project is expected to take
about ten months to complete. Based on the anticipated timeline, the park should be completed and opened by this
time next year. However, while the park itself should be opened next fall, it is likely that the athletic fields will not be
able to be used until the following spring to allow the turf sufficient time to become established.
In conclusion, we all recognize that it has taken longer to reach this point in the process than any of us would have
liked. But fortunately, the delayed timeline has allowed the above items to fall into place that otherwise may not
have happened. The Park Board would like to thank all of the citizens of Cameron for their patience as we continue
to move forward toward the beginning of physical construction. The Park Board also wants to ensure everyone that
everything possible is being done to move this project forward quickly, while still making sure to build the best park
possible. Thank you citizens of Cameron!