The first phase of a construction project a Kendrick Park is almost complete after being underway since last April.
Crews have installed a new playground that Senior Park Planner Tom Balk said it's more accessible than the one before.
"The playground was covered. The covering had a hole in it. The structure of the playground was much smaller and geared toward the 2 to 5 age range. What we have behind us now is more 2 to 12-year-old age range," Balk said.
The public is expected to have access to the playground located next to a new splash pad in the next two weeks.
A federal grant for $500,000 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development made the upgrade possible.
According to Balk, neighbors had expressed wanting new amenities when the city asked people for feedback during the development of its master plan.
Caroline Sanchez, who has lived in that neighborhood for 38 years, is pleased with the changes. The changes also include the expansion of a walking trail to more than half a mile.
"It's going to bring a lot of people and happiness," Sanchez said. "People see something better. People want to walk around and enjoy themselves."
The walking trail will also connect with a sidewalk often used by students of Kendrick Elementary School.
"Some of the new trails will accommodate that commute to school but then the loop extension will also accommodate the folks that come here to work on fitness or just take in the nice weather," Balk said.
The City of Waco put $2,368 to make the sidewalks of the walking trail wider.
Sanchez looks forward for the rest of Waco to see the new amenities in her neighborhood.
"I'm really proud of this. This is happening over here," Sanchez said.
The expansion of the walking trail is expected to be completed in six to eight weeks.
The city hopes the grand opening of the park will happen in March.
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