Somerton adopts master plan for parks
Cost of all improvements recommended in plan estimated at more than $26 million
People could play sports and gather for cultural events, picnics and other leisure activities at a recreational and athletic complex envisioned in a newly adopted master plan for park development in Somerton
The complex, estimated to cost more than $23 million, would be located on the city’s west side, where it would serve both residents and students of a high school planned for construction on an adjacent parcel.
The shared complex is the centerpiece in a park master plan developed over a period of more than a year by the city working with a consultant, J2 Engineering and Environmental Design of Phoenix.
The plan, formally adopted by the Somerton City Council last month, also identifies improvements to the city’s existing parks and gym that together would cost another $3 million.
“The master plan is a guide for the development of parks and and other facilities during the next 10 years,” said Jesus Meza, Somerton’s
parks and recreation director. “The city never had one, and it will serve as a foundation for the future.”
Identified as a priority in the document is the future park and athletic complex developed jointly by the city and the Yuma Union High School District and shared by residents and students of the campus the district will build in Somerton.
The plan presents two options for the complex, which would be located north of Main Street and west of Cesar Chavez Avenue. Under one, there would be two regulation-size baseball fields, while the other option envisions one.
In addition, the plan envisions the complex having smaller fields for softball and youth baseball, fields for soccer and for multiple sports, tennis and basketball courts, as well as playing fields for youth leagues, an outdoor amphitheater for performing arts,
picnic ramadas and other facilities.
“All that is going to be determined when an agreement is reached between the city and district for shared use,” Meza said. “The master plan suggests what to do, but all will depend on that agreement and the available funds.”
The plan does not recommend how to finance the complex.
“The master plan is a guide,” said Meza. “It’s not something we have to follow to the letter. We can make adjustments according to the needs and the budget, and we will see how costs will be shared with the district for that project.”
The plan also recommends building more ramadas in Joe Munoz Park, creating a parking lot at Perricone Park and finalizing an air conditioning project at the Somerton Community Center, adding playground equipment for children at Centennial Park and installing lights at the city’s dog park.
Somerton Mayor Gerardo Anaya said the plan shows the city has a suitable inventory of parks to meet the needs of residents.
“What we need are more fields for soccer, but we are not bad off.”