The Covington Board of Commissioners is expected to approve a construction contract of up to $225,538 on Tuesday night with DWA Recreation Inc., which submitted the lowest bid.

 

Phase I will include an array of play equipment for young children (including a “playstructure,” swings, and “sway bench”), concrete walking paths, and infrastructure for family cookouts (including a 20-foot by 20-foot picnic shelter on a concrete pad, grills, picnic tables, benches etc.).

 

It’s being funded by federal Community Development Block Grant money.

 

Future phases include improvements to the existing basketball court, a new multi-purpose court with spectator areas, and restrooms. Those will be paid for by $81,755 grant through the Kentucky Department for Local Government, which was awarded to Covington during a visit to Northern Kentucky by Gov. Andy Beshear in February.

 

“We want to make this a top-notch facility for families in Latonia,” Neighborhood Services Director Ken Smith said in presenting the contract to the Commission.

 

A rendering of a completely renovated park created by Brandstetter Carroll Inc. - a firm of architects, engineers and planners - shows a range of amenities suggested by residents during a long and involved public input campaign.

 

But in answer to a question from the Commission, Smith said one of the features - a water spray pad - “would be built only if we can raise money privately.”

 

Barb Cook is the third neighborhood park to be rebuilt under the Parks & Recreation Division’s ongoing park redevelopment schedule, with upgrades at Father Hanses Park in Lewisburg and Peaselburg Park already completed. Goebel Park is next.