SEBASTIAN — As work begins on the new restroom facility and pavilion at Schumann Park, the Bark Park stands next in line for its own restroom, walking trail and other improvements.
The Bark Park is the last project on this year’s capital improvements project list.
“We haven’t moved on that,” City Manager Al Minner told the Sebastian Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Monday evening, explaining other projects had been higher up on the list.
But now that those projects are either completed or getting started, work at the Bark Park can start moving forward.
Minner said after the meeting that it will be some time, though, before visitors to the park will see the work getting done. He said planning needs to be done for where the trail and restrooms would go.
Frequent visitor to the Bark Park and Sebastian resident Jim Sunnycalb asked at the meeting if the Bark Park’s hours and rules could be posted to the city’s website as well as on the city’s government channel.
Sunnycalb said it would be helpful to residents as well as help promote the park.
Minner agreed and said staff could accommodate the request.
As for Schumann Park, work could begin as early as next week on a new restroom facility and pavilion.
“We finally got our permits,” Minner told the committee. The city had been waiting on permits from various agencies before the construction crews could start on the restroom facility.
The pavilion, which was originally planned for the east end of Riverview Park, is expected to be built simultaneously with the restrooms.
Linda Kinchen, public works administrative supervisor, told the committee that the city’s staff is working with the engineer to determine where best to place the slab for the pavilion.
While work is going on at the park, visitors will still have access to the current restrooms. The old restrooms will be torn down after the new facilities are built.
“It should be pretty seamless,” Minner said.
The committee also discussed reconsidering the lights it had planned on for the trail at Easy Street Park.
At a Sebastian City Council member’s request, the committee has been asked to look again at low-height solar lighting for the trail.
Two sample lights have been installed at the park between the grass parking and the playground.
Committee Chair Joanne White recommended her fellow members to visit the park during the day as well as at night.
“You’ll get two different pictures,” she said.
The committee had recommended electric-powered lights instead of solar due to solar’s cost and relative low light output.
The members are expected to further discuss the lighting at their September meeting.
