Bryant parks improvements underway; dog park a reality

Parks improvement projects have begun at both Ashley and Alcoa 40 parks in Bryant.

Earlier this year, the Bryant Parks Department approved a new master plan outlining key priorities such as improvements to Ashley and Alcoa parks.

The Bryant City Council approved the use of $550,000 for projects, which will cover the first phase of improvements to Ashley Park, making it favorable for teams wanting to practice baseball and to build a dog park at the Alcoa 40 Park.

With funding in hand, city employees have begun improvements at both parks. At Ashley Park, all of the fencing has been removed and the concession stand has been demolished. At Alcoa 40 Park, crews are preparing the area that will soon become the dog park.

Parks Director Chris Treat attended the city’s Development Review Committee on Thursday for approval involving the projects.

The committee approved his plans regarding fencing and lighting at Ashley Park, as well as fencing for the new dog park at Alcoa 40 Park.

The approved lighting at Ashley Park will have new LED lights and poles and will minimize light pollution to nearby neighborhoods, he said.

The lights will also be connected to the department’s rental software and will turn on and off as needed.

“When we do this upgrade, it will get a lot more use,” Treat said. “We have a lot of baseball organizations that need practice space.”

He added that the improvements will make the park more accessible to many people.

After improvements are made to fields, fences and lights, the next major priority at this park is new playground equipment, he said.

Treat told the committee he is working with the Dog Park Committee that will be purchasing activities to put inside the new dog park. He hopes to have the dog park ready to open at the end of the summer.

During the committee meeting, Treat discussed a possible change to the city’s plan for fields at Ashley Park. The current plan includes fields of three different sizes.

He has received a request to eliminate the largest field size, and instead, make two Cal Ripkin-size fields.

“There is a bigger need for Cal Ripkin (fields),” he told the committee. “Honestly, I think we’re working hard to fit a Babe Ruth field here and there’s really not enough room.”

The change would also save the city money, Treat added.

All meetings are open to the public and attendance is encouraged.