Myrtle Reservoir Park update: At least one more month of work

(Christopher Boffoli‘s video tour of the park-construction site, from our update last month)
Since the most recent online update regarding Myrtle Reservoir Park had mentioned a scheduled construction-completion date this week, we checked again with project manager Virginia Hassinger. She has just shared an update that will be published on the Parks website and also posted as a sign at the park site:

We are making steady progress toward completion of the new park at Myrtle Reservoir in fall of 2010. We are eager to open this site to the public as soon as possible.

The final concrete pour was completed on Sept 30. The critical work for the next two weeks will be completion of the irrigation system, followed by importing and spreading of topsoil, and finally hydro-seeding. Other remaining work includes installation of landscape plantings, handrails, installation of bike racks, a variety of finish detailing, and site cleanup.

The Myrtle site has presented us with a variety of challenges in the last two months. We encountered differences in the grade between our plan and the final reservoir site. We also found existing underground utilities at elevations or locations that conflicted with our planned improvements. The designer (Nakano and Associates) and construction team (Ohno Construction) have been able to make field adjustments without compromising the design intent. We have added time to the contract to allow for these changes; our current contract completion date is November 12, 2010.

Parks is planning on a soft opening soon after the work is substantially complete. We want to get the lawn areas seeded as soon as possible. Actual germination and growth will be somewhat weather dependent. Protection of the new lawn is a concern and we are working on a plan that will allow us to protect the lawn while opening the play area and viewpoint to the public. An official public opening celebration, yet to be scheduled, will follow the soft opening.

mags October 6, 2010 (4:26 pm)

Thanks for the update WSB. Looking forward to checking out this new park!

Sage October 6, 2010 (4:54 pm)

I am very concerned about the fenced-off areas — with barbed wire no less! — remaining part of the final design. This seems like a second-rate park in what should be a prime location. Sad, and a lost opportunity.

sean mccabe October 6, 2010 (10:08 pm)

Really can’t wait for this to be finished. It has been painful watching how long this project took. I think this may be the 4th time they have hydroseeded. How long did this project take? 4 years? I wonder what the cost over runs are??

heather October 7, 2010 (9:54 am)

I’m just happy another park is being created in the area. My kids and I have been walking by and monitoring the progress for months.

Since it’s clearly out of reach of children and obviously meant to protect the water towers, the barbed wire doesn’t bother me. For people who consider it “second-rate”, I guess that just leaves more room for those of us who will use it. My glass is half full on this one. Yay, Parks!

nulu October 9, 2010 (1:29 am)

“We encountered differences in the grade between our plan and the final reservoir site. We also found existing underground utilities at elevations or locations that conflicted with our planned improvements.”
Another incredible example of the parks departments incompetence and not following rules.

“We have added time to the contract to allow for these changes; our current contract completion date is November 12, 2010.”
Wow, is that some sort of code for change orders and cost overruns?

No mention is made of when the soft opening will be?

denbol October 14, 2010 (8:29 am)

November 12,2010? I will believe it when I see it. Things seems to have slowed down AGAIN! More holes dug, more people walking around…looking, looking. When a project takes this long people just give up and lose faith. Very frustrating. I hope none of the people involved in this project are involved with the Viaduct!

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