AMARILLO, TEXAS -- The Amarillo Parks and Recreation Commission met Tuesday to go over capital improvements for projects next year. Citizens can expect to see some of the improvements as early as next spring.
Seven projects are being considered but three top the priority list.
The main one is renovations to 3 softball parks, John Stiff, Martin Road, and Southeast. Larry Offerdahl with Parks and Rec. says the softball parks are important for the fact that so many people rely on them during the softball season.
"We have over 355 teams in a spring softball season. So we know how many thousands of people come out and play softball each year, so it's very very important for us to keep our softball facilities up."
Plus, efficient irrigation systems will be laid and are in conjunction with a water conservation program that has saved more than 1-billion gallons of water since 2002.
Back by popular demand is the addition of another large water splash pad to one of the area parks. The commission hasn't yet decided which park will get the new splash pad.
"One of the things that is really important, we look at renovating are some of our existing parks is to keep those up as high of quality and these type of projects allow us to do that," said Offerdahl.
The three main projects will cost about half a million dollars.
Other projects being considered are improvements to Thompson Park's lake house and the addition of a storage facility for the parks.
The Amarillo Zoo will also see some changes,those include doubling the size of the tiger exhibit and an addition of a new education center.
