Berkley hopes to extend pathway at Oxford Park by late fall

BERKLEY — The city of Berkley is aiming to complete pathway work in Oxford Park later this year.

At its July 18 meeting, the City Council approved a proposal from its engineering firm, Hubbell, Roth & Clark Inc., to create a path extension at Oxford Park. The cost of construction is for a price that would not exceed $10,849.48.

The path will connect Oxford Road to the main walkway in the park, Parks and Recreation Director Theresa McArleton said.

“We see people walking through on the pathway all the time right now, but if they want to go to Oxford or go north, they’re walking on grass,” she said. “So this will basically just continue that. It’ll take you to the main pathway. It’ll also take you to the small toddler section that was recently installed that’s been very popular.”

McArleton noted that the pathway will lead to a seating area in Oxford Park that doesn’t go directly through the splash pad.

“Not everybody wants to get wet to go to the seating area,” she joked.

Councilwoman Natalie Price was excited about the new pathway, but also inquired about the potential for a rain garden at the park. McArleton stated that was something the city was looking into for both Oxford and Jaycee parks.

“HRC would identify some areas that would be a good spot to put that within the walkway or somewhere else,” McArleton said. “That was sort of an added thing that we thought that we would work with them while we’re doing these walkways, and that it would be a good addition to this park, as well as Jaycee.”

She added that she’s hopeful this will happen at both parks within the next one to two years.

“I think having that information as we’re looking for ways to be more sustainable and to better manage our floodwater, it’s very helpful,” Price replied.

The council unanimously approved the proposal. With that, HRC can begin the bidding process for construction. McArleton said she hopes to return to council in late September or early October to award the bid.

The actual pathway construction schedule is currently slated for completion in late fall.

“As has been mentioned, it’s the final connection (from) Oxford to Oxford Park, but also connecting the rest of the paths that are traversed quite regularly,” Mayor Dan Terbrack said. “It’s been a very, very well-utilized park for all ages, plenty of adults, and that splash pad as well, every day.”