A groundbreaking ceremony is planned for this Saturday, October 21, celebrating the start of construction on the new Karnes City park.

The ceremony will get underway at 10 a.m. at the "Park A" site located near the intersection of Wall and Browne Streets in Karnes City.

City Administrator Larry Pippen explained that the new park will be comprised of two parts – Park A and Park B. He said that the first phase of construction has started and completion of the first phase of the two parts is expected by January 15, 2007.

The second phase of construction will begin in February 2007 and it is expected to finish no later than July 15, 2007.

"I’m hoping to have it done by June 1," Pippen said. "It all depends on the weather and other circumstances. July 15 is the deadline we set up to get fully reimbursed by the state."

Pippen explained that a "Water Splash" feature will be included in Park A with 14 different water features and elements.

"It’s quite unique," Pippen explained.

Also there will be two full length basketball courts, two volleyball courts, three horseshoe pits and two washer pits, a walking trail that surrounds Park A completely and there will be a Garden area featuring vegetation native to Karnes County. There will be bathroom facilities, picnic tables, benches, and barbeque grills.

In Park B there will be a fishing pond and eventually there will be an amphitheatre. Park planners are hoping to build a pavilion and add security lights to Park B. The estimated cost is of the pavilion is $503,000.

"Through fundraising and possible donations, maybe we will receive enough funds to try to build a pavilion and the security lighting which is very important," Pippen said. "We still have a lot of planning to do. We’re planning fundraisers – whether it be a dance for New Year’s, a golf tournament – there are other mechanisms that we’re planning to do in order to raise funds for the park."

Pippen said local residents will start to see the big machinery at the park site this week or next week as workers begin excavation and preparation of the park sites.