SAN ANTONIO – A groundbreaking ceremony at Cuellar Park Tuesday morning signaled the start of a series of improvements at several parks in District 6.
City leaders, including District 6 Councilman Ray Lopez, ceremoniously shoveled dirt as part of the kickoff.
"We've had a big push here in San Antonio over the past few years to get active and get healthy and get fit and certainly our park system is a big piece of that. Getting (residents) a place to play is an important part of overall quality of life," said Lopez.
Construction will begin this month and will include the addition of new concrete walkways, trail enhancements, additional parking, and shade structures.
"The most visible improvement in all of the locations, actually, will be the shade structures. We will have them over picnic areas, we'll have them over part of our skate park to make them more enjoyable for the majority of the year, because it is so hot in San Antonio," said Nikki Ramos, assistant director of Parks and Recreation.
The improvements are paid through a 2012 voter-approved bond project. Each of the three parks will receive $350,000 worth of upgrades.
"I think this brings to fruition what the community wants. We hope to make this an ongoing discussion with the community and keep delivering the services they want," said Lopez.
Upgrades are expected to be complete by fall of this year.