Lavaca Mayor Reports on Park Progress

By Tammy Moore Teague
Earlier this year the Lavaca City Council approved Mayor Hugh Hardgrave’s recommendation to contract Hawkins-Weir Engineers Inc. to improve and redesign Shae Park. The first phase of that improvement plan is to make the 20 year old park compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Initial plans include bringing parking and trails that lead to different areas of the park up to code. In the second stage, improvements will be made to the playground equipment, picnic areas and to the walking trail. Hardgrave noted that he would like to see a pavilion added in the future. At this time, however, becoming ADA compliant is the city’s main goal.
Lavaca will be applying for a $250,000 50-50 matching grant through the Arkansas Outdoor Recreation Program. So, if approved, the city will only be out half that amount. Hardgrave added that the park improvements will take time and require grant money.  He estimated the project taking three years to complete.