HARLINGEN — A local park will soon awaken from a coma after being attacked several years ago.
Bonham Park on 21st Street has languished for years after its playground equipment was vandalized and burned several years ago.
Since then it has lain destitute with no purpose.
Now, however, the park behind Bonham Elementary is being nursed back to health with some new equipment.
“We’re putting in some standard playground equipment,” said Javier Mendez, Harlingen Parks and Recreation director.
That $160,000 worth of equipment includes three towers, which are raised structures which children can climb and then play on slides. There will also be various climbers and monkey bars.
The city has leased the property for about 25 years from the Harlingen school district, said Oscar Tapia, assistant superintendent for operations.
“The city has used the park for so long they thought it was their property,” said Tapia. “They checked with us and we said, ‘No, we think it’s our property.’ That was a big question mark, so we did some research and we found out that we still owned it.”
Tapia spoke Tuesday night at the Facilities Committee Meeting about the leasing agreement and the city’s request to do the upgrades and it was approved.
“They’re going to add a parking lot,” he said. “It’s never had parking so any parking is welcome. As part of our lease agreement they’re responsible for building anything on it and maintaining it.”
The project is being paid for with Community Development Block Grants and an $18,000 grant from GameTime, a commercial playground manufacturer.
Work will begin in January and should take 60 to 90 days.
