CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas —
One of the city’s most popular parks will soon have a new look.
Come early summer, Coastal Bend residents can expect to see drainage improvements, more seating, shades and even a brand-new and improved ADA accessible playground at Cole Park.
This comes after the city granted a just over $600,000 construction contract to Gourley Contractors, LLC to revamp the park.
The work people are set to see around the park will all be part of the Cole Park Rehabilitation and Improvements project. The project is made possible by the Bond 2022 fund.
“This is something we’re real excited about. In that area of Cole Park, we have that splash pad under construction right now, and with this construction, it’s going to make that area by the pier just have lot more amenities,” said Parks and Recreation director Robert Dodd.
Dodd says those who frequent the park can start to see movement in that area very soon.
“Right now, we’re looking to begin in three or four weeks and construction is expected to be complete in the early Summer of 2024,” Dodd said.
Dodd says it was time for a new playground because the unit that currently sits at Cole Park was installed 12 years ago and has simply reached its end-of-life cycle.
“The coastal environment takes a toll on everything down there by the water and the new playground facility will replace the weathered one that’s been there since 2011,” he said.
Dodd adds that the new playground will be more inclusive as it will have equipment that allows children to use wheelchairs and other mobility aids. This will be the city’s second ADA accessible and multigenerational playground.
“We’re just truly excited to have that happening at Cole Park which is our standard of parks in the Corpus Christi area,” he said.