Renovations at two Downey parks set to begin May 1

A playground at Apollo Park. Photo by Alex Dominguez

DOWNEY – Significant upgrades at a pair of Downey parks are getting closer to reality.

The City Council on Tuesday is expected to award a $5.6 million contract for renovations at Apollo Park and Dennis the Menace Park.

Construction is slated to begin May 1 and continue through Nov. 15.

Apollo Park will see dozens of upgrades, including:

  • Synthetic turf at fields 1 and 2

  • Six new picnic shelters

  • Baseball/softball lighting at fields 1 and 2

  • New backstops at practice fields 2 and 3, and new backstop fencing fabric at field 1

  • Removal of shuffleboard court (replaced with synthetic turf)

  • Lights in the west parking lot

  • New picnic tables, barbecues, benches, trash receptacles, and drinking fountain

  • Restroom improvements

  • Parking lot ADA improvements

  • ADA accessible path of travel to new amenities

  • Irrigation system upgrades

  • Rubberized surfacing on the playground

  • Two 12x20 storage sheds

  • Construction of a trash enclosure

New backstops will be installed at Apollo Park. Photo by Alex Dominguez

The following is planned for Dennis the Menace Park:

  • New community restroom building

  • New all-challenge fitness course

  • Rubberized surfacing on the playground

  • Irrigation system adjustment

  • New trash enclosure

  • Parking lot ADA improvements

  • New furnishings, benches, and water fountain

The total cost of the renovation, including construction, design, inspections, and engineering, is projected at $7.29 million, which will be financed by Measure S funding. Measure S is the sales tax increased authorized by Downey voters in 2016.

NewsEric Pierce