Selected parks, playing field improvements budgeted

Major improvements on established parks and playing fields are in the budget going to the Board of Supervisors in April, but of the $48.6 million projected spending over the next six years, only $200,000 of the county's money is targeted for acquiring land.

Charles Batchelor/Chesterfield Observer Many of the popular playing fields around Midlothian High School will be replanted, smoothed and put under irrigation in 2007 if the proposed parks and recreation budget is approved by the Board of Supervisors. Cost: $744,000.

Parks and Recreation Director Michael Golden told the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission that, like the fire departments and libraries, his department would like to do more "to plan for future generations."

Attorney Will Shewmake, representing the Midlothian District on the Commission, said unlike libraries, parks need large amounts of land. He told the commission he worried the proposed budget was missing opportunities to buy less expensive land in areas now undeveloped.

The only new potential park now in the county's plans will be somewhere in the western Route 360 area. No specific site has been identified, says Golden. The county budget shows more funds may be made available via proffers from developers or grants.

The budget approved by the Advisory Commission includes $925,000 for the fiscal year 2008 for new or expanded gyms at the schools. The decision on how to spend this money hasn't been determined.

"We can go two ways," Stuart Connock, Jr., told the commission. "We can either augment the building of two new school gyms that are to be built, or we can renovate one existing gym," the chief of parks design and construction said.

If the supervisors approve the $6.2 million budget for 2007, $744,000 will be spent on the Midlothian High School complex, primarily working on smoothing out the rougher turf fields and adding irrigation.

The Manchester Middle School and the new Clover Hill area middle school athletic facilities have $430,000 in the county administrator's budget next year. At Manchester, the funds will go to a new soccer field in front of the schoolyard, says Golden.

Lake Chesdin Park improvements, budgeted at $75,000 next year, will provide some more picnic space, fishing access and better roads.

The county is looking for an $800,000 grant at the Dutch Gap Conservation Area surrounded by the James River to expand and renovate the boat landing. "It's workable now, but we want to make it where it will have more capacity," says Golden.

The Mid-Lothian Coal Mines Park has no funds budgeted for next year, but $300,000 has been earmarked for FY 2008. The county wants to add interpretive signage with decking that will look over the ruins of the mining operating in the new park on North Woolridge Road just off Route 60.

The Chester area's Lowes Soccer Park may get $250,000 this coming year from a grant and another $200,000 the following year for more turf work and a new parking lot and picnic shelters.

The Clover Hill Athletic Complex is scheduled to receive $590,000 from the general fund for restrooms, more parking and road improvements after July. The Goyne/Ecoff Park is targeted for $700,000 for restrooms, trails and baseball facilities.

A better canoe launch on the Appomattox River, costing $535,000, is set for FY 2008. "We have a good one in place now, but we want to install additional parking, picnicking, trails and a fishing pier, too," Golden says.

About $1.5 million of park projects remain unfunded in the proposed six-year budget, including $400,000 for the Midlothian Youth Soccer League's Hensley Soccer Complex in the southern part of the county near Beach Road. The $175,000 sought for an "event dock" at Henricus Historic Park is also unfunded.

The public hearing on the parks and recreation budget will be at the supervisor's meeting on March 22.