ENID — As Enid continues its economic development efforts, city officials also have other plans concerning quality-of-life issues.
City Manager Eric Benson and several city staff members see an increase in quality of life as a way to enhance construction of new schools and attempts to recruit new business and employees to Enid. This fiscal year, the city has budgeted about $500,000 to conduct a study of parks and recreational needs. The study will determine the assets and needs the city has, so there will be background information for obtaining grants to assist with the costs of what city officials admit will be a multi-year project.
“We must do the process to get the grants,” Benson said.
He emphasized when the city concentrates on quality-of-life issues, officials will not take away from the core responsibilities, such as water service, streets and public safety. Benson also plans to continue improving the city’s infrastructure.
“We will continue to meet our ADA upgrades of sidewalks and in the neighborhoods this year,” said Planning Administrator Chris Bauer said.
In addition, Benson said there are some obvious needs they know will be part of the parks study. The softball fields in Government Springs Park South are in deteriorating condition and need to be replaced with more appropriate facilities.
A new water park will be built at the old Wilson Elementary School property at 10th and Chestnut. Benson said the splash pad may be expanded to include additional features. The splash pad is being moved from Gore Park, where the new Garfield Elementary School is being constructed.
Other parts of the plan are a proposal to spend $150,000 on Champlin Pool rehabilitation and continuing replacement of the irrigation system at Meadowlake Golf Course. The work started last fiscal year, and the back nine will be done this year.
Local AMBUCS members are making ABC Park into a park for physically challenged youths to play ball. The city will enhance that with Americans with Disabilities Act upgrades to the sidewalks and parking areas, he said.
The first phase of the city walking/biking trail will be finished this year and the project will be incrementally completed during the next several years, said Assistant City Manager Joan Riley.
One idea Benson has, which still is in the concept stage, is a multi-acre park with all-season facilities, so it can be used year-round. It would provide indoor facilities for people of all ages and could encompass as much as 200 acres, he said.
Benson said he believes it is time city officials look at a new recreation strategy for Enid.
He said future improvements will require a changed mindset in Enid and a focus on quality-of-life issues. He said there is a lot of interest being focused on Enid because of the accomplishments here, including the $99.5 million school bond issue and the $20 million Enid Renaissance Project.
“We are competing with other communities for businesses and employees,” Riley said.
Riley said there is no estimate on how much the recreation and quality-of-life improvements will cost. The only funding actually scheduled so far is for the study that will be done this year.
“Until the study is done there is no way to put a dollar amount on it,” Riley said.