Park Chatter is ringing in the New Year with an overview of upcoming projects for 2010. This year will bring a lot of infrastructure changes around the Park Authority. Although many of our biggest projects may not produce visible changes to the parks, pools and recreation centers near to you, they will keep the properties functioning well for years to come.

Included on this list are projects confirmed for 2010. However, new developments are likely to spring up in the coming 12 months. Here’s a current overview:

Prince William Golf Course: The course is replacing its aged clubhouse with a modular unit. The Park Authority will award the bid next week and aims to have the project complete by spring. The course will remain open during the construction, and the clubhouse operation will be moved to a temporary trailer.

Locust Shade: The park will have a new structure installed to provide shade for the audience at the amphitheater. The construction will allow the theater to be used for more daytime, children’s programming and provide greater relief from the hot summer sun. 

Hellwig Park: Construction continues on the park’s sports fields. Lights will be installed for the soccer fields, and the Little League building will be completed this spring.

Silver Lake Regional Park: The Park Authority is renovating the camp store to make it available for programming, and the park’s master plan will be complete in early 2010.

Howison Park: The Park Authority  is working with Prince William Soccer, Inc. to install a comfort station at the park. Currently, we are investigating options for new sewer connections for restrooms at the park.

Sharron Baucom Dale City Recreation Center:  We will install a new pool sanitation system that relies on UV light instead of chemicals. This will greatly reduce the need for chlorine in the pool and improve the swimmers experience while in the aquatic area.

Chinn Aquatics & Fitness Center: The rec center Youth Lounge will be modified  into an additional area for fitness equipment.