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Parks officials propose multi-field upgrades, engineering RFQ for East Alexander Park
Summary
Alexander County parks staff presented a plan to improve East Alexander Park — new restrooms/concessions, picnic shelters, playground relocation, lighting upgrades, additional soccer/baseball fields, paving and parking — and recommended an RFQ for an engineering design and cost estimate (estimated $50,000–$100,000).
Alexander County Parks and Recreation staff asked the Board of Commissioners May 5 to consider design and costing for substantial upgrades at East Alexander Park, including new restrooms and concession buildings, additional fields, improved lighting and expanded parking.
John Presnell, Parks and Recreation director, told commissioners the county currently has 92 teams across spring youth sports and about 1,100 participants in spring programming; he said soccer participation is growing and the county needs more usable soccer fields. Josh Mitchell, parks staff, described East Alexander Park as "about 35 acres" with walking trails, three baseball/softball fields, one soccer/football field, a concession building and two sets of restrooms. He said some areas are wooded and sloped and that the current playground is set back in the trees; staff proposed relocating and upgrading the playground to a more open area.
Planned improvements discussed include two additional soccer fields, one additional baseball/softball field (one existing field will need extension to meet travel-ball length), new restroom/concession facilities, picnic shelters, new perimeter walking trail, new fencing and backstops, upgraded LED field lighting on metal poles, paving to remove loose gravel in high-traffic areas, and expanded parking. Mitchell said LED lighting and metal poles like those recently installed at Bethlehem Park would provide instantaneous on/off operation compared with older metal-halide fixtures.
Staff recommended issuing a request for qualifications (RFQ) for an engineering firm to produce design options and a probable opinion of cost; Mitchell estimated an engineering and survey phase would likely range from $50,000 to $100,000. Commissioners asked about site grading, acreage and construction duration; staff said some land is wooded and that construction might take roughly a year once design and permitting are complete, but exact timing depends on the engineer's work and funding decisions.
No formal funding decision was made at the meeting; the presentation was an informational request to proceed to design and cost estimation. Commissioners and parks staff noted Bethlehem Park renovations recently completed and that the county could use other parks temporarily during any construction at East Alexander Park.
