Work has begun on the overhaul of Irvingdale and Rudge parks. Our neighbor Judy Greenwald got this update today from JJ Yost at Parks Dept.
After trudging through the lengthy process to secure federal funding for renovating the park amenities in Irvingdale and Rudge Park, actual construction began in March. Site preparation and removal of aged park infrastructure will set the stage for improvements that will include new playgrounds, park shelters, pathways, and landscaping in both parks. In Rudge Park, the stone wall that once formed the pond is being dismantled and a portion of the salvaged stones will be used to recreate the island surrounding the Cottonwood Tree at the southwestern end of the pond. The one-block section of 16th Street is being vacated and the old play equipment is also being removed to make way for the new playground and park shelter. In Irvingdale Park, removal of the asphalt parking lot and play equipment will begin soon as the construction sequencing calls for the new parking lot to be installed before the opening of the Irvingdale Pool for the season. Combined with the construction of the new fire station on the corner of 17th and Van Dorn, it will be a busy summer for the Irvingdale-Stransky-Rudge Park campus but we believe it will be worth the temporary inconvenience as the new park amenities will serve the community for years to come.
