Cary parks director shoots down gravel pit rumor

Now that voters have approved selling a portion of Hoffman Park to build a multipurpose sports center at Cary-Grove Park, the Cary Park District is focusing on how to develop the rest of the property.

But one thing district officials won't do is turn the remaining 181 acres of Hoffman Park into a gravel pit, contrary to local rumors that suggest otherwise, said Steve Cherveny, the park district's executive director.

Meanwhile, the 87 acres of Hoffman Park that officials intend to sell on its western portion forbid gravel pits as well.

"There are no plans, absolutely no plans," Cherveny said. "There's been no discussion about using the rest of Hoffman Park as a gravel pit, period."

The district is instead working to bring certain development plans to fruition, Cherveny said.

The first item on the agenda is developing a dog park, which will cost nearly $50,000 - money already in the district's coffers.

The district also has applied for a $790,000 state grant to help pay for park improvements.

They include extending the existing trail that runs through the park, building a parking area, a community garden, skate park, picnic shelter and restrooms.

The district will move forward with the dog park no matter what, since it already has the money to do so.

"That was a highly requested item through the community surveys," he said.

But it can't add on the other bells and whistles without the state grant, Cherveny said. Officials should know by January whether they'll have an extra $790,000 to spend.

If the money comes through, they would break ground in 2009, with hopes of finishing by spring 2010.

For more details about the plans, visit carypark.com/parks-facilities/planning.htm.