Hidalgo Park

After much anticipation, more than a year in the making, and a lengthy planning process, it is exciting to announce that construction on the new Kino-Hidalgo Park in the Western Hills Neighborhood is set to begin this July.

This project, coordinated between the Pima County Parks, Recreation & Natural Resources Department and Pima County Stadium District, is made possible through the Pima County Neighborhood Reinvestment Program, a local grassroots initiative in which voter-approved bond funds are available to be used for small-scale capital improvement projects in the areas of our community which need them the most. Last year residents from the Kino Coalition of Neighborhoods worked in partnership to put together a proposal for such funding, and in February 2008 the project was approved for implementation.

Elements to be part of the new park include soccer fields, walking areas, restrooms, parking, landscaping, and areas for a future playground or other enhancements. In addition, roadway improvements will be carried out on South Naco Vista from East Hidalgo Vista into the future parking entrance in order to make the right of way more accessible.

Workers will begin arriving on site in the fi rst few weeks of July, and will be coming and going on a regular basis throughout the construction process. Residents in the immediate area adjacent to the site can expect to see a surge of activity in the area as a result, but disturbances will hopefully remain as close to a minimum as possible. Also, some heavy machinery and large vehicles will be necessary at times to complete this project, and we ask that individuals and families in the surrounding area please bear with us as this project moves forward. Access to currently available essential services and utilities are not expected to be affected.

Pima County staff will continue to provide residents updates similar to this notice as work on the new park progresses. The project is tentatively scheduled to be completed by Spring 2010.

This initial phase of constructing new and much-needed facilities on the Eastern side of the Kino-Area Neighborhoods is long overdue, and it illustrates an ongoing commitment to the area’s enhancement and active residential involvement. It is with hope that we can continue to collaborate in the near future and beyond on making further additions and providing more amenities for the increased overall health and safety for all citizens of the entire community.

If you have any questions please feel free to call me or my staff at 740-8126. Thank you in advance for your time and patience throughout the duration of this project.