Parks Superintendent, Gary Schussler, said the work has started and is being done by an outside contractor.
“This work is being contracted out, which includes the reworking of all the beds at the Delco Park Drive entrance, the southeast/southwest pedestrian entrances and surrounding the concession-restroom building,” Schussler said. “The new landscape will include trees, shrubs and perennials that are more consistent throughout the rest of our parks.”
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The work also includes the installation of new benches at the southeast pedestrian entrance and surrounding the restroom and concession building. Updated signage at the southeast pedestrian entrance and at the Delco Park Drive entrance will be installed as part of the project.
The updates will bring the park into American with Disabilities Act compliance since its curb ramp currently does not meet ADA standards. City officials are also planning to begin phase two of the Kettering Business Park landscaping project.
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Schussler said the pathways at the concession building and at Veterans Plaza will be realigned to make them easier to navigate.
Another upgrade is planned along the southwest pedestrian path, which has been known to become a mud pit during heavy usage.
“The path currently isn’t very large and when groups are utilizing this area as a means to congregate before passing over Dorothy Lane at Valleywood Drive, it inevitably becomes a messy mud pit, so we are expanding the hardscape and path in this specific area,” Schussler said.
The is having the curb ramp at Delco Park removed because it is not in compliance with ADA standards as it relates to the the pathways at the concession building and at Veterans Plaza.
“This was a deficiency that we knew about and that was identified in the most recent ADA audit the city completed in 2017,” Schussler explained. “The new concrete path and curb ramp will conform to all current standards set forth by the Americans with Disabilities Act.”
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The updates are anticipated to be completed by June 1 weather permitting.
Kettering Business Park also getting upgrades
The city is also preparing to start construction soon on the second phase of the Kettering Business Park entryway and landscaping $2.2 million project.
In 2017, the city worked with its tenant partners to develop a master plan for the Kettering Business Park campus.
“In 2018 we started to implement the first phase of that plan. We designed and installed modern entry signs and completed upgrades to landscaping and pathways near the entrance,” Schweikhart said. “This week contractors began the second phase of the plan which will include sidewalks and landscaping near the round-about and installation of directional signs throughout the campus.”
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