Like the phoenix of mythological lore, Ben Lomond Dam Park is rising from the dust.
Construction will continue into December to revamp the downtown Ben Lomond park with a new basketball court, a walking path, a play structure, handicap access ramps and barbecue pits.
“Things are going pretty well,” Santa Cruz County parks planner Christina James said. “Next week, we are looking to (lay the) nature pathway, and then install the playground equipment in the first or second week in November.”
Landscaping will follow, and the basketball court will be coated with a light- and dark-green surface before the park opens.
James said the county hopes to open the park in late December and might have a grand-opening ceremony in January.
The $402,641 rehabilitation is paid for by Proposition 40, the California Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe Neighborhood Parks, and Coastal Protection Act of 2002.
As of last week, James had not heard from the state about a second grant the parks department has sought that could pay for more improvements, including steps down to the bank of the San Lorenzo River. The park straddles the river, but there is no access to the river from the park.
To pay for the steps and several other possible features, the parks department applied this spring for $1.2 million through Proposition 84, the Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood Control, River and Coastal Protection Bond Act of 2006.
“I have not heard back from the state yet,” James said. “We are expecting, now that the state budget has passed, to hear word any day now.”
