SAFFORD — The City of Safford is going all-in when it comes to recreation.
During a work session Monday, the Safford City Council directed staff to include in the 2021-22 budget money for a large expansion of recreational opportunities for residents.
“I want . . . $1.14 million to go to parks and recreation, and I would love to see El Paso Park be blown up and shovel ready, and I want to see something on 10th (Avenue) and 10th (Street),” Mayor Jason Kouts said.
The $1.14 million comes from AZ Cares funding the city received for the pandemic. The funds were used to pay police salaries, which allowed the city to move the money budgeted for those salaries into the general fund to be used for any purpose the city chooses.
City Manager John Cassella told the council that city staff is negotiating with the Safford Unified School District for an intergovernmental agreement that would allow for use of school facilities for recreational purposes, such ballfields, and basketball and tennis courts.
There was talk of developing at least two splash pads — one at Firth Park adjoining the Safford Pool, and one at El Paso Park.
While Cassella said a splash pad could be placed in El Paso Park if a proposed basketball court is removed from the design, the large-scale expansion the council seeks would be difficult because of the limited amount of land owned by the city. However, the owner of adjoining land has talked of making some land available to the city for the park should his property be developed.
“I would like to see more input on 10th and 10th. I’d like to see that be a long-term project, where we get some public feedback and find out . . . since that largest piece of land we have,” Cassella said. “I would much prefer it if we took our time, and got a sense of the amenities that people may want to see. So that if we develop 10th and 10th we do it in a comprehensive way, so that everything that’s built on it works together and works appropriately.”
Kouts said he would prefer a park developed at 10th and 10th focus on older children — such as those in middle school — since other parks focus on amenities for younger children. But, he said, he doesn’t want the planning to take too long.
“Don’t sit on this forever; let’s move on it. I want it shovel-ready tomorrow,” Kouts said.
The one recreational proposal that appears to have lost out in the discussion is Gila Watershed Partnership’s proposed river walk along the Gila River. Three members of council — Arnold Lopez, Gene Seale and Brad Hemphill — said the river walk is a low priority for them, and they would rather see funding redirected elsewhere.
