Going to take time
pavilion are part of the proposed changes, with the design moving in the direction of a modern urban park, Dishman said.
“We are not taking out any trees, though,” Dishman said.
Drainage will be changed in the park to help with the current flooding problems that occur.
Additional parking on the north side would allow for about 20 new spaces in front of the 3.1acre park. Dishman has the idea of using some of the spaces for events with food trucks.
The drive in front of the Edmond Historical Society and Museum also could be closed to improve safety in the area, which has seen multiple auto-pedestrian accidents in the past.
Now, the park includes a tennis and basketball court. This feature could be removed once a new location is found, but many pickleball players are worried about the process.
A concern is where the new courts would be moved to and if restrooms would be included. Most of the players are part of the Greater Oklahoma City Pickle Ball group.
“The courts kind of stick out like a sore thumb,” Dishman said. “We will not remove them until there is a permanent place for them."
Once the city’s new tennis center is built, Dishman is hoping the courts at the Kickingbird Tennis Center can be used for pickleball, which he has been playing since the late 1980s.
“It is a fun sport,” Dishman said.
Proposed changes also would affect the park's playground equipment, however, the rocket ship would only be moved closer to other equipment.
Additionally, the rock walls and signs built in the 1930s would remain with new walls mirroring the current ones.
“Anything historic we are not getting rid of,” Dishman said. "It is all going to take some time."
Before any changes occur, the parks department will need to go before the Edmond City Council with the final proposed changes.