Wards Lake Park is an amazing natural area located in the Northeast neighborhood area of Lakewood. Since incorporation, the City has utilized a variety of funding sources to purchase several parcels of contiguous land to make up the Wards Lake Park property. In 2022 the City anticipated purchasing 10.5 additional acres to expand park to almost 37 acres and utilizing several grant sources to improve this site. Recent and funded Phase 1 improvements include demolition and removal of vacant structures, pathways to connect current trail system to a span bridge creating an internal loop trail, enhanced open space areas, preservation of oak trees, a dog park and pump track. The City has applied for additional funds to develop Wards Lake Park phase 2 in 2023-26. If funded Phase two improvements will include two new playgrounds, trail extensions, neighborhood park, picnic shelters, BMX track and restroom building. Vegetation management will allow the city to more easily access and clean up area(s) when dumping or encampments are created. Phase 2 Improvements (Years 2023-2026 / Total $3,277,500 ): - Grant requests include three RCO managed grants (LWCF, Local Parks and YAF) totalling $3,277,500 - Includes an additional $427,500 (15%) increase for anticipated project costs due to inflation and economic impacts Phase 3 Improvements (Years 2027-2028 / Total $3,000,00): - If additional property is acquired then additional loop trails, boardwalks and public art may be installed at the site. - Pursue State funding to support park expansion in the 2025 state funding cycle to be permitted and constructed in 2027-28. - Anticipated project costs of $3,000,000 with RCO grant funds to support design and construction of this phase This project is included in the city’s fy 2024-2028 Capital Improvement Program. As of August 23, 2024, the project is in the design phase. Bidding should take place before the end of 2024. *Project information has been obtained through a public capital improvement plan (CIP). A CIP is a financial schedule for short- and long-range projects which is updated regularly. Information listed in the CIP often evolves based on funding availability and the project details, including timeline and value, are subject to change. The content management team will continue to pursue additional details as they become available.
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