The City of Gainesville’s Possum Creek Park is getting a makeover.
The park, located at 4009 NW 53rd Ave., is temporarily closed to the public for park improvements, and for safety reasons, it will remain closed until the renovations are complete.
The renovations include the construction of a dog park and a skate park.
Plans also include expanding and paving the parking lot and installing new fences enclosing the park.
Several community meetings were held to determine what local residents wanted, and these renovations were at the top of the list, said Bob Woods, city spokesman.
The total construction cost is about $800,000, and the renovations were funded by Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program, the city’s Capital Improvement Program, and a Wild Spaces - Public Places sales tax referendum.
The Wild Spaces - Public Places referendum is a one-half cent sales tax that started in January 2009 and runs until December 2010.
The organization, a citizen-led effort to protect natural resources and improve public recreational facilities in Alachua County, projected the tax will raise $40 million.
“We want to give the greatest return on the taxpayers’ money at Possum Park,” Woods said.
Park visitors are encouraged to visit San Felasco Park, 6400 NW 43rd Way, while Possum Creek Park is under construction. San Felasco Park features hiking trails, a picnic shelter and playground equipment.
The park is scheduled to reopen by the end of April.
