Preparations are under way by Stantec Engineers to begin the planning and design for a new park on Waltersville Street in the Kings community.

Stantec received the contract for the engineering and design during a June 23 meeting of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen.

The site of the Kings playground park is by the Waltersville Fire Station near Waltersville Estates.

“The park will be between the road and the Vicksburg Animal Control,” said Stantec engineer Brian Robbins. “It will include a half-court basketball court, a pavilion similar to those at Riverfront Park, barbecue pits, a quarter-mile walking track around the park and playground equipment. We will install some type of railing to keep cars (driving along Waltersville Street) from going into the park. We are outside surveying the property now.”

He said the walking track will go around the fire station, “so the fire station will actually be incorporated with the park.”

North Ward Alderman Michael Mayfield said a pipe yard for pipe used by the sewer and water departments between the fire station and the animal control property will be relocated to make room for the park.

No estimate for the project was available pending the final design and engineering, but the city has $100,000 allocated for the park in the $1.3 million it has set aside for recreation under the $9.2 million capital improvements bond issue. Residents in Kings have been asking the board for more parks and recreation facilities there and in the North Ward.

“This is going to be a good addition to the Kings community; it’s something that has been needed,” Mayfield said.