Veterans Memorial Park Master Plan

The first proposal features the fewest changes to Veterans Memorial Park of the three options. It provides for roadway improvements to join the existing park property with the Veterans Sports Complex to the northeast, allowing for easy access to all amenities, parking lots, entries, and exits. Walking paths also connect all park areas with path lighting and security lighting included along the paths and in the parking lots.

Other additions in this proposal include:

• An extension of The Cove’s patio and diving well area to allow for additional amenities such as cabanas, rentable party spaces, and possibly a splash pad water park.
• A well feeding the irrigation system for Veterans Memorial Park and the Veterans Sports Complex.
• Two new ramadas by the Skate & Bike Court that would provide rentable spaces for entertainment, birthday parties, and other gatherings.
• A Parks Maintenance Office and storage facility for parks maintenance equipment located north east of the Skate & Bike Court.
• A new, modern playground would be constructed in the southeast portion of the park.
• The existing football field at the Veterans Park Sports Complex would be restored and improved to playable condition. Lights, bleachers, a concession area, and restrooms would also be added.
• The gym located southwest of the football field would be renovated and extended to twice its size, allowing for two full-size basketball courts that could be used for indoor events, bazaars, concerts, meeting space, and other sports programming. The second floor of the gym would provide additional meeting rooms, staff offices, and classroom space. A new parking lot would be added for the gym.
• The six tennis courts east of the gym would receive surface improvements, lighting, and a new parking lot to the east.
• The softball field in the northeast of the complex would be re-orientated as shown to avoid hazards with traffic. The field is in need of a total renovation and lighting.
• A three-court lighted sand volleyball area would be constructed in the northeast of the complex.
• The Little League Baseball located on the east side of the complex needs an outfield rehabilitation.

The second proposal builds off the first, adding more improvements. These additional improvements include:

• A splash pad adjacent to the new playground proposed in the southeast area of the park.
• A new playground, ramada, and splash pad south of the football field.
• Two outdoor basketball courts located south of the football field.
• Additional parking south of the tennis courts.
• Two additional ramadas and one additional restroom on the east side of the sports complex near softball field and volleyball courts.
• Additional pathway connections.
• Green space improvements in the open event space located in the southwest of the park.

The third proposal includes everything featured in the first two and incorporates additional amenities, while also making significant improvements to the park’s layout and traffic flow. The changes would make operations more efficient and would enable the City to support multiple events, programs, and sporting activities in the park simultaneously. These improvements include:

• Additional pathway connections allowing for onsite, self-contained fun walks and runs without the need for street closures or traffic control.
• Enhanced one-way traffic designs to improve flow between facilities.
• Ample parking and expanded open greens pace.
• A new large storage area south of The Cove to house equipment for events and activities that take place within the park.
• Instead of constructing Parks Maintenance facilities east of the Skate & Bike Court, a gated parks maintenance area would be built on the southeast side of the park. This would create a more efficient traffic flow. The area would include office space, secure storage, and covered parking.
• An additional parking lot would be constructed just south of the Parks Maintenance facilities, while the ramada there would be relocated to the east, near the southern center of the park. Significant improvements are planned for this area through a partnership project to honor veterans.
• Existing parking lots would be restriped to support one-way traffic flow and additional parking would be added.
• Howard Field would be moved east to the softball field in the Veterans Park Sports Complex. The field and parking lot on the north side of the park would be filled in with open green space. This would separate sporting activities within the Veterans Park Sports Complex, while providing additional space for public park activities and events in the park.
• Several small storage sheds.