South El Paso Park Benefits From Half-Million Dollar Renovation

A Tuesday evening ribbon-cutting ceremony inaugurated nearly half-million dollar renovation at Chihuahuita park.

Some of the upgrades include street lights, picnic tables, sidewalks and landscaping.

Third-generation Chihuahuita resident and President of the Chihuahuita Neighborhood Association Mannys Rodriguez said first, she was hesitant to buy the hefty price tag attached to the park’s improvements.

“I was skeptical,” said Rodriguez. “I always thought, ‘No, they’re not using the money right.'”

Rodriguez said being actively involved in the park’s planning process led to a change of heart.

“Once you get involved with the city and you start asking for stuff, you see where the money goes, you realize (the is money is going) to be spent on the neighborhoods,” said Rodriguez.

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program funded the project, through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

While outdoor space is a rarity in Chihuahuita’s urban landscape, Armijo Park is located less than a mile away from Chihuahuita Park.

“It’s a lot of money,” said Caleb Sullivan. “Half a million dollars seems like it’s way too much money to spend on that. They could have used that to improve a lot of roads around here that are really terrible.”

Chihuahuita resident Martin Avalos said the grant money could have been used elsewhere.

“(It could’ve been spent on) community development, roads, and infrastructure.”

District 8 City Representative Cortney Niland said she firmly believes the historically significant neighborhood deserves a place to foster a sense of community.

“Green space is something that is very important to our community,” said Niland. “Exercises and community spaces where people can gather is something that’s important.”

Rodriguez said it’s more than just grant money. It’s a chance for other members of the Chihuahuita community to put down deeps roots like her own.

“This is a good investment for our future generations,” said Rodriguez.

The chair of the CDBG steering committee said they can only approve 3 million dollars worth of funding requests.

The cost the renovate Chihuahuita park adds up to less than 15 percent of the CDBG’s yearly funding.