Las Palmas Community Park coming soon to east side

A large, empty lot on El Paso’s east side will soon be a lush, green park.

District 7 City Rep Lily Limn said the park has been promised to residents for 30 years. ABC-7 has learned Las Palmas Community Park is finally coming to residents near Pendale Road and Rojas Drive.

The area of land is not much now, but thanks to the city’s 2012 Quality of Life Bond Election, Las Palmas Community Park is within reach.

“We need to drive at least three miles one way or cross the I-10 for residents to be able to go to a park,” Emmanuel Echeverria said. He’s the east side El Paso Neighborhood Coalition representative.

People who live near the dirt lot can’t wait to have some green space.

In July of last year city council approved the purchased of 10.56 acres. Just Tuesday they approved the purchase of an additional 12.74 acres, bringing the grand total of the Las Palmas Community Park to just over 23 acres.

After the original purchase, residents expressed concern. That prompted this week’s city council decision to purchase more land.

“At 10 acres it would have no restroom facility and it would leave all this baron area surrounding the park,” Councilwoman Limn said. She added that planning and developing of the park will hopefully start in two years.

“Once it’s developed, it’s going to be a green area. We’re calling it the jewel of that area because it’s really going to be a very, very beautiful area,” Limn said with a smile on her face.

Even though it’s still some time away from being complete, people of the community like, Echeverria, are already thinking about what features will be used the most.

“I think walk ways and we’re trying to partner with public art so that they can bring art to our park,” Echeverria said.

Las Palmas Park will be a large project with much community involvement. It will be built in phases until it includes a little something everyone can enjoy.

Representative Limn said present funding available will allow for about one third of the park to be developed. The remainder will be developed through grants, citizens becoming park partners and fundraising efforts from the neighborhood association.