Playground equipment is being added to James Mason Park, a 5-acre space at 1401 West 7th Street.
This land was once an old City Dump that was converted into a baseball field in 1975. That year, the park was dedicated to James G. Mason.
A plaque erected in the park reads: “In honor of James G. Mason, baseball player, manager and youth organizer, whose love for baseball and people enhanced the development of athletics in Owensboro. Through this tribute we express our appreciation for the spirit of his contribution.”
The park sits behind the City’s Public Works building and beside the recycling drop-off site. When Public Works expanded, the park lost a considerable amount of its footprint.
Parks and Recreation Director Amanda Rogers said that the park has served as a great green space but they wanted to get more use out of the space.
The 4-seat swing set and a merry-go-round will mark the first playground equipment on the property.
“We want to create a nice ‘pocket park,’ as I’d say, that people in that area of town can walk to and sit have a pleasant time with small children,” Rogers said.
Rogers said they didn’t want to eliminate too much of the park’s green space, so they landed on the small playground equipment they thought would be appealing to parkgoers and residents.
The City is utilizing the Public Works department for the installation, and the project is expected to cost $17,357, according to the City Projects list.
Rogers said she is confident the job can be done by May.
“I feel pretty good about May, because it’s because it’s not a big unit,” she said. “It’s smaller pieces that they’re creating more regularly.”
