By Danielle Skinner
BELLMEAD--Budget issues, a tax increase election, and several new faces on the city council in Bellmead are being pushed aside for some positive news.
That city just North of Waco is trying to clean-up and grow. At the top of that list of projects, the Bellmead Economic Developmental corporation is looking to restore local parks.
Some locals have been waiting more than a decade for cleaner and safer parks.
"I've been retired from the city, I've been with the parks department for 27 years," explained local resident Ruth Garris. She's spent her whole life in Bellmead and raised her kids here.
"I don't know how many years since the parks have been updated, and the children need something," Garris said--Which is why a plan to clean them, also known as Project Public Park 2012 is on the Bellmead Economic Development Corporation's agenda.
At Monday night's public hearing one by one residents, and even council members walked up to the podium to voice their concerns.
"I would like to see an investment in our children," said Parks and Rec President Janie Gimnich.
The parks and recreation board presented the corporation with maps and pictures of what children need in these parks.
"We just want to help better neighborhoods, lift spirits of the children in everything..and just better Bellmead," said Parks and Rec Chair Joy Stone."
The plan includes open space improvement on all parks and new playground equipment--it has a $50,000 strict budget that will be paid for in the form of a grant.
The city's Economic Development Board voted in favor of cleaning up Lion's and Devorsky parks in Bellmead. The decision will be voted on by council members at tomorrow's meeting.
