Wasco leaders outline park upgrades and pursue state, federal grants for Annan and Cormac parks

Wasco City and Wasco Recreation and Park District leaders used a joint meeting to review recent park improvements and describe next steps for two grant-funded projects at Annan Park and Cormac Park.

The Wasco Recreation and Park District’s general manager, Chris Serna, summarized recent completed upgrades at Westside Park, Barker Park and Fifteenth Street Park and described new play structures and facility repairs funded through Measure X and other grants. Wanya, a consultant for the district, gave the most detailed updates on the two major grant projects: Annan Park and Cormac Park.

Wanya said the Annan Park project must first meet a compliance process required by the state and federal grant program and that the review “may still take 6 months” because the district must work with a project officer, the state and then federal reviewers. She also said the district is exploring whether to “trade or sell Annan Park, purchase a better location that will serve the community better, and build a new park.” She noted that any build option would require matching funds and that many of the available grants…