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Audio articles on Wilson County News made possible by C Street Gift Shop in downtown Floresville!
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Pecan Park in Floresville is getting a makeover — courtesy of the Floresville Economic Development Corp. (FEDC). New barbecue grills, trash cans, and lighting, along with new benches and bicycle racks, are part of the current round of improvements. Future plans include crack-sealing and widening the walking path, a new playscape, and covers over some of the picnic tables. “I’m hoping to have the barbecue grills and trash cans in soon, in time for Easter,” said Ben Reed, FEDC executive director. N. KILBEY-SMITH/Wilson County News
[Video below] Floresville Economic Development Corp. board members approved funding for three projects at their March 14 meeting.
The city’s 9-acre Pecan Park will receive an added boost of $15,000, to keep an ongoing improvement project on track.
Completed elements of the project include:
•Replacing old barbecue pits with 10 new ones
•Replacing old trash cans with 14 new ones
•Installing 10 new benches and two new bicycle racks.
Elements soon to be completed:
•Manicuring the park’s pecan trees
•Laying large stones around the parking lot to prevent vehicles from driving into the park.
The old posts around the parking lot have already been removed, according to corporation Executive Director Ben Reed.
Floresville City Manager Andy Joslin explained that the additional funds are currently needed because prices for equipment rental and labor have increased since original estimates were made.
“All costs are going up,” he said.
Future phases of the Pecan Park improvements include:
•Installing 20-25 lights, to replace the current lighting system
•Widening and crack-sealing the walking path.
In other business, corporation board members approved paying the city’s share of a three-year project to improve the Floresville El Camino Trail, also known as the Floresville Hike & Bike Trail.
The total for the corporation is $231,774, payable in installments over three years.
The trail project includes replacing the existing surface with a 10-foot-wide path, consisting of crushed granite 6 inches deep. The new path will extend from S.H. 97 north to the River Bend Golf Course. Lighting, benches, and six pedestrian crosswalks also are included in the project.
Joslin noted that he, Floresville City Finance Director Cynthia Sturm, and Code Compliance & Safety Officer Dino Cantu completed Texas Department of Transportation training to certify compliance with grants for the trail.
In related action, FEDC board members approved to provide $3,000 to partner with MMM Media Inc. and Joy in the Journey for a travel documentary focusing on Floresville and the trail, which is part of El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail.
