City scheduled to break ground on new park Thursday morning

The city is scheduled to break ground for Eastside Regional Park in Far East El Paso at 10 a.m. Thursday morning.

The ceremony is open to the public and will be at 13501 Jason Crandall Dr., near Chester E. Jordan Elementary School.

“This new park is going to be a major regional attraction for residents and visitors alike,” Sam Rodriguez, capital improvement department director for the City of El Paso, said in a statement in a press release. “We are ready to begin transforming this 92-acre parcel on the Eastside into a premier destination for families.”

The park will feature the first of five water parks the city plans to build through the 2012 Quality of Life Bond.

The water park will be themed after Hueco Tanks State Park. The park will have water cannons, a climbing station and stylish bungalows to capture a “desert oasis” feel.

Apart from the water park, the city says the park will feature the region’s first public 50-meter competition-ready lap pool and diving well.

It will also have a community center with a gymnasium, classrooms, a computer center, indoor running track, kitchen and dining area as well as other amenities.

The first phase of the project will develop 10.6-acres of the 92-acre parcel of land designated for the park.