Parks and progress: Ash Grove invests in its city park

The Ash Grove city park has been the recipient of renewed focus from the city government. Many projects are currently underway to restore, repurpose and overhaul the amenities offered at the city park. 

Basketball, tennis swap

The first of these improvements is the basketball court. According to Mayor Caleb Smith, the court that currently holds the basketball court could be repurposed for other uses while the tennis courts will see new basketball goals installed.

City workers have already set up new basketball goals that now inhabit one side of each of the two former tennis courts in the park, creating a regulation-size court for hoops. The remaining area of the courts will be converted into four arenas suitable for pickleball. 

Disc golf

New baskets for the park’s disc golf course were added as well, bringing the tally up to a full 18-hole course. 

Gaga ball

The city also plans to implement a small, portable game called Gaga Ball, a sport that has been growing in popularity of late and is similar to dodgeball. The arena features a small octagonal pit which players must stand in. Smith decided that Gaga ball made a great addition to the park because of its convenience, easy access and portability. 

Barham, Carriage houses improved

As part of park improvements, city workers also renovated the interior of the Carriage and Barham houses in hopes to once again open them up for events and overnight stays. They also added a cancer memorial to the recently constructed butterfly garden. 

The city updated the electrical that is used by food trucks and vendors and plans to turn the volleyball court a full 90 degrees and erect a fence around it to keep out unwelcome feline visitors. 

When all is said and done, the park improvements are to cost a little less than $10,000, said Smith, which is not bad considering the municipality budgeted for much more. Smith stated that because the city kept most of the work in house instead of hiring out, they saved much of the money they expected to spend on the project.