Since 1988, vehicles parking in the shade of trees at the Chockoyotte Park compacted the soil so severely three large ones in recent months died.

Concern about saving the remaining trees as well as safety concerns over vehicle traffic have led to improvements at the park which should be completed in about six to eight weeks, Parks and Recreation Director John Simeon said today.

The completion of the project, which will put two grills and picnic tables on the island where vehicles parked, should coincide with the start of the Youth Fellowship Girls Softball season.

The project will also put new grills at the sheltered area of the park, the most active one in the city, Simeon said, which, with athletic league activity, sees some 1,000 thousand users a week. “It's not uncommon to see out of state tags.”

The completion of the project will wrap up an effort to make the park safer.

The first step in the project was to replace weaker parking barriers with more sturdy ones. “We changed over to heavy duty barriers to stop vandalism. It's much heavier wood and the lifespan is much longer.”

Simeon said the barriers around the island of trees have slowed down traffic in and out of the park. Over the years parking in the shade was compacting the soil to the point water was not getting into the root structure.

Placing picnic tables will relieve some of the pressure on the frequently used picnic shelter. “We're about halfway,” from completion. “The hard part is done, grading and putting up the barriers. We have to put cement foundations (down for the grills).”

The department's maintenance shop is making the grills. “It's saving us 50 percent of costs. We can make a grill a third larger and for half the price. The maintenance crew purchases our own steel and we do our own welding.”

The shelter can be reserved for $10 for in-town residents and $20 for those out of town. The island area will be first come, first serve, Simeon said.

Another advantage to the redesign is visibility. “Girls softball games can be seen from the open area.”

Simeon believes the new configuration is a matter of aesthetics. “I think it makes a better looking park as you enter. It offers the opportunity to drive up and sit down, have lunch and enjoy the outdoors. It's created a safer parking lot and better flow in and out.”