Paved with good intentions

By Randy Grider
randy@casscountynow.com

No longer does a trip to the Atlanta Sportplex have the feel of an outback safari minus the wild animals. 
Those accustomed to a teeth-jarring, pothole-laden trek into the baseball and softball complex will be pleasantly surprised at what awaits them. It’s now smooth sailing into the park. And once there, patrons will find the somewhat chaotic parking situation has been replaced with well-defined parking lots, organized points of entry. 
Working is nearing completion on an almost $600,000 paving and renovation project at the complex that started early this summer. 
“It’s a big improvement,” said Atlanta City Manager David Cockrell. “Baseball and softball are really important to the kids, parents and the community. We have a really great facility out here, but the parking lot and road were a source of a little bit of embarrassment.
Cockrell said the city first estimated that the project might cost as much as $700,000, but the bid came in at $540,000. The city secured $600,000 in funding to allow for the additional upgrades as the project progressed.
“We were really fortunate that the oil prices really went down,” Cockrell said. “We caught the bid when oil prices were at their lowest. This allowed us to do a little more than we might have been able to do otherwise.”
The upgrades included additional parking spaces, and with the new asphalt all parking spaces are designed with proper striping. 
“We believe we can get more people in here now,” Cockrell said. “It’s got more organized parking. We believe the people will like it.”
New guardrails and cables have been added for safety and defining boundaries. 
“It helps with safety,” Cockrell said. “There were places you could have driven off the upper parking lot. We’ve also added sod and worked on drainage issues.”
Cockrell said there has been a big problem with people dumping trash at the complex. He said the city is serious about stopping people from dumping and littering at the renovated complex.
“Everyone we catch dumping trash will get a citation,” Cockrell said. “We will have surveillance and enforce the law. People illegally dumping here will get a $500 ticket. This has been a real big problem and we are serious about stopping it.”
Speed bumps have been added to crosswalks along the entrance roads where biking and hiking trails intersect.
Cockrell said the park will remain closed to the public until all renovations have been completed.
“We want the public to enjoy the park,” Cockrell said. “We want people to see it and use it. But we also want them to take pride in it and help us protect it.”