Members of the John Paul chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution told the Parks and Recreation Board they secured grants to advance an updated master plan for John Paul Park and will pursue fundraising for construction.

Hillary, representing the John Paul DAR chapter, said the chapter and city formed a working group to revive a plan originally produced in about 2008. She said the chapter received a Community Foundation grant for engineering feasibility work and a $140,000 Bethany Legacy Foundation grant to fund Phase 2 engineering design work, which the group expects to complete in 2026. Hillary said the design work will allow the city to put the project out for bid and that the Conservancy hopes to fund construction through grants, sponsorships and public donations; she emphasized the city is not currently committing operating funds to construction.

Planned improvements described in the revived design include a lower-level walking loop, ball-field improvements, a pollinator garden, visitor restrooms and storage for park maintenance. The group said the project’s largest engineering item will be hillside erosion repair between the upper and lower levels; the team described terracing that will provide ball-field seating while stabilizing the slope. Hillary said an updated plan and brochure are available and that the DAR will hold a volunteer cleanup on Oct. 11.

Hillary told the board the total construction cost is not finalized but that the group is “assuming this is a 2 to $4,000,000 project” for planning purposes; she reiterated that construction timing will depend on fundraising success and grant awards.