By MICHAEL CRIMMINS
Glasgow News 1
Improvements to Jackie B. Browning Park took their first steps towards becoming a reality with a bid publication.
The idea for the “significant improvements” at Jackie B. Browning Park was first publicly discussed on June 20 when the Barren County Fiscal Court approved American Engineers Inc. to conduct a topographical survey of the park property and, from that data, to create a plan moving forward.
According to Barren County Judge-Executive Jamie Bewley Byrd, American Engineers completed its design and the county has taken its first step toward the improvements by publicizing the bid that will include adding two new fields, additional parking, new restrooms and a playground.
She also mentioned making Field 2 a grass infield with a permanent mound and bringing in the field fences to 200 feet to make room for parking. Eventually, she said, they plan to pave and stripe the parking lot as well. The bids are due by Friday, Nov. 3, at 3 p.m. after which time, Byrd said, she, along with the parks and recreation committee, will examine them and determine the next phase of the improvements. She said after Friday she will likely call for a special meeting of the Barren County Fiscal Court in an effort to move forward quickly.
“I plan to really push on the start of this project because we are so confined on time to get those fields ready,” Byrd said. “We’ll start this project by mid-November if everyone is good with it.”
“We got to get construction going on over there,” Byrd added.
Due to the youth league that uses the park for its games, Byrd said, they need to get a majority of the renovations done before spring seasons begin. Because of this she said certain aspects of the renovation will be given priority like the two new fields that she said will be completed around April 1.
Byrd said the two new fields will provide the youth league, which has grown drastically, to have more chances to make up more of their missed games at a quicker pace.
“Our leagues have gotten so big and by having six fields it gives us more opportunities,” Byrd said. “For example, if a game gets rained out, now you’ll have more fields to make up more games.”
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