GROVES — Future development of parks in the city of Groves is up for discussion as councilmembers look at possible improvements as well as forming a Parks Committee.

The talks began during a recent council meeting and will likely continue during the next regularly scheduled meeting.

Groves City Manager D. Sosa told council that about 10 years ago voters in Groves approved the sale of portions of Lindenmeyer Park and plots of land have been sold since then to businesses adjacent to the park near 32^nd Street and Texas 73. Then hurricanes knocked out some of the park equipment and two lighted softball fields.

By law the city must find land to replace the lost park land but isn’t required to replace exactly what was lost, Sosa said.

So, to get a better feel for what’s left and what was lost, Sosa and staff will begin some research.

Councilman Kyle Hollier brought up an idea he initially mentioned months ago — constructing a 25-foot X 50-foot galvanized pavilion to be placed in Lion’s Park on the Lincoln Avenue side for an estimated $60,000 to $80,000 cost.

“It would be galvanized with a concrete runway,” Hollier said. “Buildout would take roughly three months in addition to the bidding process which will take six to eight weeks.”

A 10-foot wide concrete runway could be included in the design, which would be located near where the vendors line up during the Groves Pecan Festival.

Councilman Jim Rasa asked if there were any other uses for the runway other than the annual event to which Councilman Sidney Badon explained there are other events held in the park such as a car show and barbecue cook-off.

Sosa also assured Rasa there would be a minimal loss of green space should a runway be placed there and any possible drainage issues would be investigated.

The park already has a small covered pavilion that is a popular spot.

“The small covered pavilion a the park now stays busy. People come out at 6 a.m.,” Sosa said.

The city’s parks department would oversee the new galvanized pavilion, should council approve the issue, and take reservations.

Hollier reiterated that his proposal was just that, an idea. Specifics on cost to place electricity in the building would have to be researched.

Getting the public input on the issue of parks development is also on council’s minds. Rasa presented an organizational and operations chart telling duties of committee members and more.

His committee proposal consisted of two citizens, one representative of the chamber of commerce, one representative of an athletic group, one supervisor in public works, one city council member and the city manager.

Badon and Hollier both feel there should be two councilmembers on the committee while Rasa believes the committee need only one councilmember because the group would bring the final proposal to council for approval anyway.

With Mayor Brad Bailey absent from the meeting, council decided to consider the formation of the parks committee and the number of its members at the next regularly scheduled meeting.

Email: mary.meaux@panews.com

Twitter: MaryMeauxPANews