Park update: Courts resurfaced; trees going; new bench here

repaintedcourt_smA quick note about changes you might have noticed recently in Rosedale’s Ramsey Park: The resurfacing of the tennis courts looks awesome, the city did replace the bench  damaged by the falling branch, and three trees were tagged to be cut down. If you haven’t already seen the renewed surface on the tennis courts you should definitely check it out, the courts are gorgeous! To answer a question on many people’s lips: the colors are per tennis governing body regulation.

According to a U.S. Tennis Association spokesman, “the new court colors have been tested and proven to enhance visibility of the ball”. The USTA switched to the new colors back in 2005. Note that although the courts look much improved, there is still work to be done and as such, they remain off limits with the orange fencing in place.

Before and after: click to see larger versionAlso new at the park is a replacement for the bench damaged by a falling limb about a week ago, although initially the city parks department indicated it did not have the funds to procure a new bench at this time. The new bench is a different style from the one that was damaged and is reportedly only temporary pending the next phases of work that will be going on as a part of the larger enhancements to the park that the neighborhood working to arrange. Full funding for all of the elements of the park’s master plan is still needed and neighbors are being encouraged to donate to the park, especially now while there is a one for one match for all donations of $200 and above (up to $10,000). As of early March the neighborhood had raised around $380,000 of the $460,000 that will be needed to fund completion of all phases of the park restoration. Please help realize this dream for enjoyment of the park today and for generations to come.

treesgoingOne sad change coming to the park is the pending removal of three trees between the two playscapes. Due to the recently downed limb, the city’s forestry department inspected trees in the park and have tagged these three trees for removal due to their deteriorating condition and safety concerns.  It’s not known when this will happen. The impact the removal will have on the design or timing of the park renovation work is being evaluated.