Raymond Community Park nears completion; ribbon cutting set for Feb. 24

Kurt Bauharts, park development staff, told the Parks and Recreation Board on Feb. 12 that Raymond Community Park is nearly finished and the town will hold a ribbon cutting on Feb. 24 at 2 p.m.

Bauharts said the contractor has been installing sod across the site and estimated the project is "probably at 98 or 99%" complete. He described roughly 40 acres of sod that contractors are placing at about an acre a day, and said the playground structure is "100% done now" but must clear a third‑party playground safety inspection before the park opens to full public use. Restrooms are "probably at 98%" and the project is in the contractor closeout phase.

Bauharts said council approved change order No. 5 for the park’s well and pump system; that work will extend the contractor’s authorization but is limited to an isolated area near the pond and, he said, "will not affect the opening of the park itself." He also said the town plans to install a pavilion near the playground in about eight weeks and is preparing temporary fencing and other measures to help protect newly laid sod while it establishes.

Director Dan Baker and operations staff described how fields and courts will be phased into use: the contractor’s substantial completion date is targeted for late April, staff expect some areas may be playable by May or June, and most league activity is likely to begin in August as turf establishes.

The board was told staff will coordinate final third‑party safety audits and walk‑throughs with town departments before releasing all areas for public play. The ribbon cutting and continued site work mean portions of the park could be periodically closed for short, focused construction tasks after the opening.

Next procedural steps: staff will complete final punch‑list items and safety inspections, and the board will monitor site readiness and any post‑opening closures tied to well or utility work.