STAFF REPORT
Glasgow News 1
Glasgow residents have a newly updated place to play as community members gathered at American Legion Park to celebrate the reopening on March 27.
Glasgow Parks and Recreation Director Eddie Furlong said the city decided about two years ago to move forward with a full renovation after years of discussion and planning. The idea for the project dates back to about 2012, and Furlong said a formal master plan for the park was developed in 2018.
“This park originally opened in 1975 and two years ago we finally made the decision to renovate it,” Furlong said. “So basically we wiped out the park from the front all the way to the back. We took out the old city pool. We took out old softball fields, shelters, things like that.”
The updated park now features four pickleball courts, a half-mile walking trail, a new playground, new restroom facilities, new parking areas and additional green space.
The entire park project, including the aquatic center, cost just under $10 million, Furlong said, adding that the work was funded by taxpayers, with some of the cost covered through bonding.
Furlong, who has worked with the city for more than 23 years and has spent about 27 years in recreation, said the renovation has been a personal priority since he became director. He said residents who have seen portions of the park during construction have been impressed by the scale and quality of the improvements, and that many people use the centrally located park for lunch breaks and quick visits.
The renovated park also includes new LED lighting and security cameras throughout the grounds.
While the ribbon cutting marked the reopening of the park itself, the aquatic center is not yet open. Furlong emphasized that Friday’s event was only for the park’s reopening. A separate ribbon cutting for the aquatic center is expected in May.
Dee Anderson, a Glasgow community member who attended the ribbon cutting with her pickleball paddle in hand, said she was excited to play on the new courts.
“Fortunately, we’ve been able to use the rec center at Liberty Street but there’s only two indoor courts, and during the nice weather everybody goes to Weldon Park…so there’s always people waiting,” Anderson said. “This is a big day. We’ve been waiting for this a long time. Courts look great.
“We’re excited.”
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