Ascarate Cleanup Delayed Again
By Stephanie Valle
El Paso, Texas – County Commissioners will put offmoving ahead with a plan to clear the remaining structures at what used to be Western Playland for one more week.
The county Assistant Purchasing Agent, Joe Lopez, told the three commissioners at the meeting he is still working with the County Attorney’s office on the contract, which would include exactly what would be demolished and what would be salvaged.
Lopez says there are several rock walls and plant life, as well as what used to be the walking path to different rides, that could serve as a starting place for whatever the county decides to do with that acreage on Ascarate Park.
Commissioner Veronica Escobar urged Lopez to continue working on this so they can move on with cleanup at the park as quickly as possible. As we reported, the county is engaged in a lawsuit with Western Playland owner Pat Thomson over who is responsible for getting rid of the remaining buildings at the former park grounds.
Escobar has said in the meantime, she would like to move forward with the clean-up at the county’s expense just so that area of park could be redeveloped and made profitable.
